Ex-Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli denies sexual assault allegations under oath in civil trial
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KGO) -- Former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli took the witness stand Thursday in his own defense, denying allegations from seven women who claim he sexually assaulted them.
The women, identified in court as Jane Does, are suing Foppoli in a civil trial now underway in Santa Rosa.
Foppoli testified that the alleged encounters either never happened or were consensual.
During direct examination, Foppoli was asked whether he had ever drugged a woman in order to have sex with her.
"No," he answered.
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli denies sexual assault allegations ahead of civil trial
When asked whether he had ever engaged in sex without consent, Foppoli told jurors, "I've never had non-consensual sex with anyone."
Foppoli's attorney, Andrew Watters, said his client was truthful during his testimony.
"He's doing great on the stand. Not only what is being said is true, but it has the ring of truth. That's the important part," Watters said.
Jurors also heard allegations previously made by several of the plaintiffs.
Jane Doe No. 2 testified she was 18 years old when she briefly dated Foppoli while helping with his 2003 State Assembly campaign. She alleged Foppoli assaulted her at his home and again about two weeks later during a New Year's Eve celebration after she became intoxicated.
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Jane Doe No. 3 testified she shared a cab ride with Foppoli after a night out and later ended up at his home. She alleged Foppoli offered to sleep on the couch but later climbed into bed with her and groped her. She also testified that she locked herself in a bathroom afterward.
When questioned by plaintiffs' attorneys about the incident, Foppoli denied doing anything that would have caused the woman to fear him.
"You didn't do anything to make her lock herself in the bathroom in fear?" an attorney asked.
"No," Foppoli replied.
Attorneys representing the women declined to comment Thursday, but plaintiffs' attorney Traci Carrillo spoke with ABC7 Eyewitness News when the trial began.
"Any sexual assault case, it's traumatic. Certainly there's a long road. They were let down by the criminal system," Carrillo said.
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Foppoli has never been charged with a crime related to the allegations. Two criminal investigations were opened and later suspended because investigators said there was insufficient evidence to move forward.
While on the stand, Foppoli described himself as a devout Catholic and acknowledged past personal failings, but denied the allegations at the center of the lawsuit.
"I've been a terrible boyfriend and partner, cheating, selfish and egotistical, but I've never done any of those things I'm being sued for," Foppoli testified.
Watters told reporters the civil trial is allowing his client an opportunity to publicly challenge the allegations.
"This is our opportunity for our day in court. I'm not trying to minimize the plight of 'Me Too' victims. Many claims are valid. These just happen to be invalid," Watters said.
Closing arguments in the civil trial are scheduled for next week.
