Ricky Garcia, a member of the boy band “Forever in Your Mind,” has emerged victorious in the rape case he brought against his former manager.
A Los Angeles jury unanimously found the singer to be a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of his former manager during his teenage years. The verdict, delivered on Friday, March 8, held Joby Harte accountable for childhood sexual abuse, gender violence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The jury awarded Ricky a substantial judgment, including $5.5 million in compensatory damages and an additional $1 million in punitive damages.
The conclusion of this legal battle marks the end of a protracted ordeal for Ricky, who, at 20 years old in 2019, filed a lawsuit against Harte, alleging years of grooming and assault starting from the age of 12. Ricky rose to prominence after joining Forever in Your Mind following his audition on season 3 of “The X Factor,” where he caught the attention of music mogul Simon Cowell. Prior to his music career, Ricky also ventured into acting, appearing in over 30 episodes of the Disney Channel series “Best Friends Whenever.”
In his lawsuit, Ricky detailed how his show business journey took a dark turn under Harte’s influence, particularly during the band’s songwriting sessions. Ricky recounted instances where Harte would intoxicate him, leading to waking up unclothed in Harte’s bed. Additionally, Ricky disclosed that Harte coerced him into performing sexual acts while he was still a minor. Fearful of jeopardizing his career, Ricky remained silent for years until he and his mother confronted Harte, ultimately leading to the legal action against him.
