CHICAGO, Jan. 16, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the space of just one day, a Chicago jury awarded $1,000,000 in compensatory damages and $8,000,000 in punitive damages to a Chicago woman, in her case against a wealthy Chicago insurance executive, for his egregious conduct. The jury of six men and six women deliberated for one hour before returning a unanimous decision, finding the defendant guilty of one count of sexual assault and four counts of assault and battery against the woman.

The verdict was reached on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Law Division.

The Executive, who owns interests in several Chicagoland insurance companies, was found guilty of multiple transgressions of the rights of a woman with whom he was acquittanced, between October 5, 2015 and March 23, 2016. The charges against the Executive included strangling, physical and verbal violence and non-consensual sexual behavior.

“This is a strong message from the heart of the #metoo movement to defend women against powerful men who feel that because they have wealth, they can act with callous disregard for the laws of humanity and the Republic. It took a jury of 12 people just one hour to determine that one woman’s suffering was worth eight million dollars in remuneration for scars that will last a lifetime. I can only hope that if this example doesn’t at least deter this kind of behavior, it sends a message that if you are a victim with a voice, the public has an ear,” says attorney Daniel J. Voelker. Voelker and Olga S. Dmytriyeva, who represented the victim, and are available for comment.

About the Voelker Litigation Group

The Voelker Litigation Group represents clients in contract, business, construction, real estate, trust and estate, intellectual property, securities, and labor and employment disputes. Our legal team, composed of trial lawyers, has handled cases of all sizes from the relatively small matter to high-stakes litigation. Members of our legal team have been selected for professional designations such as Leading Lawyers, Super Lawyers and the AV-Preeminent rating. Please contact the firm at 312-870-5430 or visit www.voelkerlitigationgroup.com for more information.

Media contact:
Daniel J. Voelker
312-870-5430
dvoelker@voelkerlitigationgroup.com