Amazon faced a significant issue on October 20 when Laura Danbom, a seven-year employee, accused a senior advertising executive of assaulting her at an office party. According to a lawsuit, Michelangelo Simonte allegedly changed the course of what began as a flirtatious evening in 2023. Danbom reported the incident to human resources, seeking support, but said she was told to remain silent. She expressed that no one should experience such an event.
The lawsuit indicated that Danbom worked at Amazon’s Seattle office, while Simonte was based in Madrid. They met during a business trip to New York City on October 27, 2023, where they attended an event with an open bar and karaoke. Initially, they flirted and enjoyed each other’s company. However, at the end of the night, Simonte kissed her and convinced her to let him join her in her hotel room. This is where the situation allegedly escalated, as the lawsuit claims that Simonte sexually assaulted her in her room early the next morning.
The complaint states that before the assault, Danbom said no, and during the incident, she tried to communicate her distress, with Simonte acknowledging the act as assault. The next day, she reported the incident to the New York Police Department and provided evidence, including a barrier contraceptive that Simonte had reportedly left. She also underwent medical examinations.
During a monitored phone call with Simonte, he claimed he was “200% sure” that they had not been intimate. However, in a later police interview, he suggested that he had been too drunk to remember the events. Despite this, the NYPD did not charge him, stating that they had exhausted all investigative options and had to close the case.
Two days after the incident, Danbom contacted Amazon’s human resources. The company initiated an investigation and placed Simonte on leave for several months. However, Danbom later told The New York Post that the investigation concluded without finding any policy violations by Simonte. She accused Amazon of ignoring evidence against him.
The lawsuit also claimed that Amazon ended its investigation without interviewing witnesses who could verify Danbom’s story. It stated that she faced inappropriate questions during the inquiry, which seemed to blame her for the incident. These questions included whether she yelled “no” during the encounter.
According to the lawsuit, Amazon’s HR department mentioned they would reopen the case if prosecutors in New York decided to charge Simonte. They also instructed Danbom not to discuss the incident at work. She highlighted that this prohibition prevented her from warning other women who might interact with him.
Despite the allegations, Simonte was not fired. Amazon allegedly required Danbom to continue communicating with him through phone calls and emails. In response to the lawsuit, Amazon stated that it takes such allegations very seriously and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for workplace sexual misconduct. A spokesperson indicated that the company conducts thorough investigations and takes appropriate actions against those who violate policies.
What are your thoughts on how companies handle such serious allegations?
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Source: Bored Panda, by Analice Couto