Former MIT scientist wins $6M defamation verdict against colleague who accused him of sexual misconduct

A jury awarded former MIT biology professor David Sabatini $6 million after finding that his former colleague, Kristin Knouse, defamed him. The verdict followed a lengthy legal dispute that began after allegations of sexual misconduct contributed to Sabatini losing his position at the Whitehead Institute in 2021.

Sabatini and Knouse began a sexual relationship in 2018, which ended the next year; Knouse later alleged it was coerced, while Sabatini maintained it was consensual. Whitehead’s investigation also found that he had fostered a sexualised atmosphere in his lab, and he resigned. The jury rejected Knouse’s counterclaims, including sexual harassment and coercion allegations; her lawyer said society still struggles to believe women and recognise power imbalances.