Judge orders damages of nearly $1.5 billion for family of kidnapped former Florida FBI agent Levinso

Judge orders damages of nearly $1.5 billion for family of kidnapped former Florida FBI agent Levinson


U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly has ordered the Islamic Republic of Iran to pay $1.457 billion in damages to the family of former Florida FBI Agent Robert Levinson, who was kidnapped by Iranian officials in 2007 and apparently died in captivity.

He was the longest held civilian hostage in American history when his family reported his death earlier this year.

The judge’s order, signed late last week, orders the Iranian government to pay Levinson, his wife, Christine, and their seven children a total of $1.457 billion in compensatory and punitive damages as punishment for “outrageous behavior” and to deter such conduct in the future.

His kidnapping caused “immeasurable suffering’’ to Levinson and his family,’’ the judge ruled. Iran’s conduct and torture of U.S. citizens is part of a longstanding pattern and policy, he added.

Read more: https://www.floridaphoenix.com/2020/10/04/judge-orders-damages-of-more-than-2-billion-for-family-of-kidnapped-former-fbi-agent-levinson/