Former San Francisco Tech Founder Accused of Coercing Assistant into a ‘Slave Contract’ and Trafficking Her for Sex

Introduction

The former CEO and co-founder of a San Francisco-based tech company is facing serious allegations in a recently filed lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that Christian Lanng, the ex-Tradeshift CEO, forced his executive assistant to sign a "slave contract" and subjected her to years of sexual abuse, torture, and assault.

The Allegations

The lawsuit, filed by an individual identified only as "Jane Doe," alleges that Lanng sexually trafficked her under the pretext of business trips for the fintech company. The plaintiff claims that several months into her employment at Tradeshift, Lanng made her sign a "shocking and repulsive" sex "slave contract" that referred to him as "master." This contract plunged her personal and professional life into a horrifying ordeal of unwanted sexual experiences.

The lawsuit further details the abuse endured by the plaintiff, including being forcibly bound and physically beaten to the point of bleeding.

Filing a Complaint

The plaintiff claims that she was terminated from her position in May 2020 after reporting the rape, sexual abuse, torture, and assault to Tradeshift's human resources department, co-founders, and board members. The lawsuit describes the woman's experiences as a result of the "slave contract" as a dark abyss of suffering.

Lanng's Denial

Christian Lanng vehemently denies the allegations made against him in the lawsuit. Although he acknowledges the existence of the "slave contract," he claims that he and the plaintiff had a consensual sexual relationship before she joined Tradeshift. According to Lanng, their relationship ended eight months after she started working for the company. He insists that the accusations against him are false and that hiring someone he was involved with romantically was a grave error in judgment.

Furthermore, Lanng argues that the plaintiff continued working at Tradeshift for an additional five years after their relationship ended. He states that her position was eventually eliminated during a round of layoffs. Lanng characterizes the allegations as a cynical and callous affront to victims of sexual violence and human trafficking.

The Plaintiff's Response

The plaintiff's attorneys, Bryan Freedman and Miles Cooley, strongly criticize Lanng's comments. They emphasize that a "slave contract" between a CEO and an employee cannot be considered consensual. The lawyers reject the notion that their client willingly entered into such a relationship and assert that the allegations, alongside the corporate cover-up and malfeasance, are deeply disturbing. They look forward to presenting all the facts during the discovery and litigation process.

Accusations against Tradeshift

The lawsuit also implicates Tradeshift as a defendant, alleging that the company's other founders and board of directors were aware of and implicitly endorsed Lanng's abusive behavior. The plaintiff characterizes Tradeshift as a toxic and hostile work environment. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that the plaintiff was also sexually abused by former Tradeshift board members Morten Lund and Morten Sondergaard, who have not yet responded to requests for comment.

A spokesperson for Tradeshift denies the allegations against the company. Lanng, in his statement, asserts that Tradeshift never condoned or concealed any instances of sexual harassment.

The Plaintiff's Trauma

The lawsuit highlights the physical, psychological, and emotional trauma endured by the plaintiff as a result of the sexual abuse she experienced.

It is essential to remember that these are serious allegations and that the legal process will ultimately determine the truth of the matter.

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By: nmusumeci@businessinsider.com (Natalie Musumeci)
Title: Former San Francisco Tech Founder Accused of Coercing Assistant into a ‘Slave Contract’ and Trafficking Her for Sex
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/san-francisco-tech-ceo-accused-forcing-assistant-sex-slave-contract-2023-12
Published Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:58:00 +0000