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Montana Jury Awards $2.2 Million By Brooke Hewes, 12-12-05 A Missoula County jury unanimously granted a teenage girl $2 million in punitive damages Monday, validating what prosecuting attorney Monte Beck called the courageous struggle of a young girl who had been sexually abused by Dick Dasen, a Kallispell businessman and now convicted sex offender. The award was in addition to the $200,000 in compensatory damages granted Friday. The proceedings follow a criminal trial this spring in which Dasen was convicted on three counts of felony prostitution, a misdemeanor count of prostitution, felony sexual abuse of children, and felony promotion of prostitution. He is serving two years in prison with 20 years suspended. He was acquitted of several other charges in that verdict, including sexual intercourse without consent – a charge that had stemmed from the encounter with the teenage girl the jury ruled for today. In both the criminal and civil trials, the girl alleged Dasen paid up to $7,000 to watch sexual conduct between her and another teenage girl, but that he want far beyond what was agreed to. Dasen admitted last week that he took advantage of the girls’ poverty with lucrative offerings to watch them, but did not admit to actually participating in any sex acts. While criminal juries must be convinced "beyond a reasonable doubt," civil cases require only that a preponderance of the evidence point to the crime. Today’s monetary award, unlike the compensatory damages meant to compensate the girl for actual harm, is intended to deter others as well as punish the defendant for crimes committed. “What the jury found today was symbolic of the rights of all people,” Beck said. “It said that you cannot violate people’s body and soul.” Beck said clearly the abuse did violate the teenager, who was shaped into a liar and drug addict by the defense attorney. Beck said she has been coping since Dasen’s arrest last year with the help of family and counselors. “She has taken this trial day by day,” Beck said, adding that she has broken into sobs during the proceedings. Beck said he is unsure whether or not girls also alleging abuse would sue Dasen. “It’s not easy,” he said. Prosecuting attorney Jory Ruggiero agreed, likening the trial to pouring salt on open wounds. Dasen and his attorney were not immediately available for comment Monday afternoon. Despite the $2.2 million settlement, whether or not the girl or her attorneys will ever see a dime remains to be seen. While Beck maintains that Dasen’s worth just before his arrest hovered around $6 million, Dasen has since plummeted into debt. Where, when and how the money disappeared is not fully known. Dasen insists there were no illegal dealings but Beck hinted at hidden bank accounts. Much of that could be examined further in another trial next week in Kalispell. Money or not, Beck said, today was a success: “It’s a good day and a good day for all of the people of Montana.”
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