An Amazon Web Services (AWS) employee has filed a lawsuit alleging that a senior company executive sexually assaulted her during a business trip to New York in October 2023. The employee has also accused Amazon of failing to adequately investigate her complaint and attempting to restrict her from discussing the alleged incident, according to a report by The New York Post.
The lawsuit was filed in a Seattle state court by Laura Danbom, a marketing and operations manager based in Seattle. She has accused Michelangelo Simonte, an advertising executive based in Madrid, of sexually assaulting her on 27 October 2023. The allegations have not been established as findings of a court.
According to the complaint, Danbom travelled to New York with colleagues, including Simonte, for a work-related trip. The group attended an Amazon-hosted event featuring an open bar before visiting karaoke bars later that evening. The lawsuit alleges that the company paid for the activities.
Danbom has also alleged that Amazon created a hostile work environment following the incident and failed to respond appropriately to her complaint. The lawsuit further accuses the company of violating Washington state’s Silenced No More Act, which restricts certain confidentiality provisions that prevent employees from discussing workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and sexual assault.
The case raises questions about employers’ responsibilities when handling complaints of alleged sexual misconduct, particularly when the allegations involve senior personnel. It also highlights the importance of impartial investigations, appropriate employee support and compliance with laws governing workplace complaints and confidentiality agreements.
The allegations remain unproven, and the filing of a lawsuit does not establish liability. The report cited here does not provide Amazon’s response to the specific claims or a response from Simonte.
Further developments will depend on the proceedings and any evidence presented before the court.
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