The American airliner American Airlines was cleared of charges during a civil assault lawsuit on Wednesday after jurors declared the company innocent. the ruling came due to a conclusion that Airlines does not need to bear the responsibility of the case.
Kimberly Goesling, a flight attendant, was allegedly assaulted by a celebrity chef the airline company hired.
The Fort Worth court jury decided the result of the lawsuit across three days. They concluded that a case of sexual assault did take place en route of a company trip to Germany four years ago, but that American Airlines had no connection to the case.
Celebrity chef Mark Sargeant, who reportedly did assault Goesling, reached a private settlement with her lawyer Robert Miller.
Goesling however took the company to court for a $25.6 million settlement. The trial took place over two weeks. Company spokeswoman Lindsey Martin stated: “The jury’s decision confirms that American does not tolerate inappropriate sexual conduct of any kind.”
Miller told the press he plans to appeal the decision, claiming that the judge left out evidence of Sargeant’s advances towards other stewardesses during the flight, before he allegedly assaulted Goesling.
Goesling told reporters in the UK that while he does take responsibility for drunkenly going to her room, thinking she was interested in him, he denies that he assaulted her.
See also from Business News:
