Former MIT Scientist Sabatini Wins $6 Million Defamation Verdict; Jury Finds Colleague Defamed Him
Former MIT biology professor David Sabatini won a major legal victory this week. A Boston jury ruled on Oct. 16 that his former colleague Kristin Knouse had defamed him, awarding Sabatini $6 million.
Sabatini led a research laboratory for about 24 years at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts, working on cell biology and its links to neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, aging and cancer. In 2021, after Knouse raised allegations of sexual misconduct and the institute conducted an internal investigation, Sabatini lost his position and resigned.
According to court filings, the two met in 2012, began a relationship in 2018 and split the following year. Knouse later alleged the relationship had a coercive element. After leaving, Sabatini sued Knouse for defamation and tortious interference with contracts and prospective business relations; Knouse countersued, alleging sexual harassment.
At trial, the jury rejected Knouse's sexual-harassment countersuit. Knouse's attorney has said they will appeal the defamation verdict.
The case has drawn wide attention in U.S. academia since 2021, and a $6 million award is exceptionally rare in academic defamation litigation.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：麻省理工学院大穹顶（资料图）。照片：Mys 721tx／Wikimedia Commons（CC BY-SA 3.0）。MIT's Great Dome (file photo). Photo: Mys 721tx / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
