March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Bikram Yoga Founder to pay $6.47 million for Harassment to Former Employee:

 

A jury today awarded $6.47 million in punitive damages to a former attorney for the founder of Bikram Yoga, who alleged she was harassed and punished for speaking out against harassment of women in the workplace.

The Los Angeles Superior Court panel deliberated about two hours before reaching its verdict in favor of Minakshi Jafa-Bodden. On Monday, the same panel awarded her $924,554 in compensatory damages, finding that she was subjected to harassment, discrimination and retaliation by Bikram Choudhury.

In Monday’s verdict, the mostly female jury also found Choudhury acted with malice, which set up the second phase of trial to determine whether the plaintiff should be awarded punitive damages.

Jafa-Bodden smiled as she heard today’s verdict, while Choudhury appeared glum.

The jury foreman said all of the panel members discussed the issues fully in reaching their decisions, but he declined further comment.

Choudhury’s attorney, Robert Tafoya, said he had no comment.

In his final argument in the punitive damages phase, plaintiff’s lawyer Mark Quigley today urged the jury to send Choudhury a message with a large award.

"His conduct shocked me," Quigley said of Choudhury. "He thinks that he can do whatever he wants to do. It’s like a cancer, it’s ridiculous."

Choudhury, 69, testified today that his company has made little money the last three years and that he has been close to bankruptcy.

He said that although he has a garage containing about 30 to 40 luxury cars, he put many of them together with spare parts from other vehicles and has arranged to donate them to the state and to charity.

Quigley urged the jury to disbelieve Choudhury’s claims of financial problems and to send him a message that his behavior toward women will not be tolerated.

"This guy will do anything," Quigley said. "He is sick, shut him down, he’s out of control."

Lawyers for Choudhury and his yoga companies urged the panel not to award any punitive damages, saying their clients had been punished enough.

Jafa-Bodden sued Choudhury and his West Los Angeles-based Yoga College of India in June 2013.

Choudhury’s lawyers said Jafa-Bodden lost her job in 2013 because she did not tell her boss she wasn’t licensed to practice law in California.

They also maintained she worked for a law firm and that neither Choudhury nor the college employed her, even though she testified he gave her office space, supplies and yoga college business cards.

Choudhury teaches the "hot yoga" technique in which sessions are conducted in temperatures that often are above 100 degrees.

 

in News
Related Posts

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Teen Kung Fu Coming to Pali Rec Center

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

This 8-week session, priced at $160, commences in April 2024 Palisades Recreation Center introduces Teen Kung Fu classes, fostering a...

After Securing $200K Grant, City Embarks on Action Plan for Older Adults, People with Disabilities and Caregivers

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The City Will Engage Experts, Nonprofit Partners, Commissioners, and Stakeholders to Spearhead the Planning Process The city of Santa Monica...

City Commences Phase 2 of Beach Restoration Project

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The Project Will Enlarge the Habitat for Significant Native Species, Including the Federally Threatened Western Snowy Plover Phase 2 of...