Former MIT scientist wins $6M defamation verdict against colleague

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 09:38 · Archive

A jury found Dr David Sabatini's former colleague defamed him over sexual misconduct allegations.

A jury awarded Dr David Sabatini, a former MIT biology professor, $6 million in damages after finding that his colleague Dr Kristin Knouse had defamed him. Sabatini had led a research laboratory at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts for approximately 24 years, focusing on cell biology and its connections to neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, aging and cancer.

In 2021, Sabatini lost his position at Whitehead following an internal investigation into allegations made by Knouse, a younger colleague at the institute. The pair met in 2012 and began a sexual relationship in 2018, which ended the following year. Knouse alleged the relationship was coerced. The Whitehead investigation also found that Sabatini had fostered a sexualised atmosphere in his lab, and he subsequently resigned.

Sabatini filed a defamation lawsuit against Knouse. Throughout the legal battle, Sabatini maintained that his relationship with Knouse was consensual and that he had never fostered an improper atmosphere in his lab. His attorney cited text messages between the pair during trial that she argued showed Knouse willingly participated in the relationship. Knouse subsequently filed a counterclaim against Sabatini, alleging sexual harassment.

How it is being reported

• Former MIT scientist wins $6M defamation verdict against colleague who accused him of sexual misconductDr. David Sabatini was awarded $6 million in damages Friday after a jury found that his former colleague, Dr. Kristin Knouse, had defamed him.New York Post · 18 Oct, 09:26
• Former MIT scientist wins $6M defamation verdict against colleague who accused him of sexual misconductDavid Sabatini won $6 million after a jury found his colleague's sexual harassment claims were defamatory, but the fallout from MIT cost him years.Fox News · 17 Oct, 21:06

In this story: David Sabatini · Kristin Knouse · MIT · Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research · Cambridge · Massachusetts

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