Landmark Victory for $2.5 Million in Jane Doe vs. Zia Sheikh
****For Immediate Release**** Facing Abuse in Community Environments (FACE) welcomes $2.5 million judgment for the plaintiff in the Jane Doe vs. Zia Sheikh trial
Dallas, Texas (August 13, 2019) - FACE is pleased to announce that the Honorable Judge Emily Tobolowsky, Civil District Court 298, ruled in favor of plaintiff Jane Doe with a landmark $2.5 million judgment against Zia Sheikh. The judgment covers the mental anguish and exemplary damages resulting from his sexual exploitation, clergy malpractice, and grooming of Jane Doe, who was a former congregant and counseled by Sheikh for years as a minor.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for this outcome. We are here because Jane had the faith and courage, despite the risks to herself and her family, to persevere and see this trial through. I pray that this victory sends a message to victims and survivors that they are not alone, but also lets abusers everywhere know that we will not be quiet any longer."
-Alia Salem, Executive Director, FACE. Salem was also a witness in the trial for the plaintiff.
In May of 2017, Jane Doe disclosed the abusive and egregious ethical violations, perpetrated by Sheikh, to local leaders, including Alia Salem. Salem promptly launched an investigation into the allegations and subsequently founded FACE, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, to create a framework to systemically investigate and issue reports of cases like Jane’s. FACE immediately partnered with attorney Farhana Querishi and Asiya Salejee of Querishi and Salejee, PLLC, who agreed to represent Jane Doe.
READ: FACE Misconduct Report on Zia Sheikh
On October 9, 2018, after more than a year-long investigation, FACE released a 12-page report that detailed our findings on the investigation of Sheikh. The report included the substantiation of Jane Doe’s allegations, as well as a 22-year work history outlining the circumstances surrounding Sheikh’s terminations from 3 mosques as a direct result of his illicit conduct with female congregants. The terminations and their causes were confirmed by Sheikh himself in his own testimony during the 3-day bench trial.
“We are thrilled at this outcome for Jane Doe. Here at DARCC, we believe wholeheartedly that sexual violence is a community problem that requires a community response. Judge Tobolowsky’s ruling made this loud and clear. I hope that survivors everywhere will take this as confirmation that times are changing. This is a new world in which survivors have the hope of being believed and perpetrators will be held accountable.”
- Amy Jones, CEO, Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (DARCC). Jones served as an expert witness for the plaintiff.
READ: “Grooming Jane Doe” by Hannah Allam, Buzzfeed
Soon after the lawsuit was filed and FACE’s report was released, well-known Dallas attorney, seasoned litigator, and partner at the Locke Lorde firm, Susan Adams, joined as lead counsel working pro-bono to help guide the team to this landmark victory. A close colleague of Farhana Querishi's through their community work against domestic violence, Adams brought her years of experience and resources from her firm which made a huge difference in the direction of the case.
"The court heard all the evidence and considered all arguments and has given us a fair judgment. We hope this judgment gives closure to our client and sends a strong message to others who hold positions of power, that there is accountability if that power is exploited.”
- Farhana Querishi, esq. Attorney with Querishi and Salejee, PLLC.
READ: Locke Lord Statement Announcing Judgment
ACE expresses its most sincere gratitude to the entire legal team and to Locke Lord for their generous pro-bono support and game-changing resources employed for this trial.
CONTACT: For FACE, contact Alia Salem at alia@facetogether.org or 844-360-2489.
For attorney comment, contact Farhana Querishi at farhana@qslawfirm.com.