Former CEO Zain Jaffer sues Vungle for 'wrongfully' removing him
Zain Jaffer, the co-founder of leading San Francisco-based video adtech platform Vungle, has sued the company saying he was "wrongfully" removed as the CEO in 2017, seeking $100mn in damages. He was charged with a number of crimes, including performing a "lewd act", and arrested in Oct'17. While the charges against him were dropped last year, Jaffer wasn't reinstated as the CEO. Here's more.
Jiu-jitsu move misinterpreted as a sexual act by police
Last year, charges, including child abuse and battery, against Jaffer were dropped after prosecutors concluded he suffered a "psychotic episode" due to a mixture of drugs prescribed by doctors. Jaffer allegedly attacked his father, punched an infant, and performed a jiu-jitsu move -misinterpreted as a sexual act by police- on his son in an altered state, said San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Lawsuit cites a provision of the California labor code
Jaffer's lawsuit against Vungle cites a provision of the California labor code that, it says, "expressly and specifically prohibits discrimination and retaliation by employers based upon an arrest or detention that did not result in a conviction."
Jaffer had suffered harm worth $100mn, says his lawyer
Jaffer's attorney, Joann Rezzo, said that he now only wants his job at Vungle back or compensation in order to cover his losses. His complaint filed in San Francisco state court doesn't mention the damages he is seeking but according to Rezzo, he had suffered harm worth $100mn. However, Vungle is yet to comment on the lawsuit filed by 31-year-old Jaffer.
Law only allows for recovery of monetary damages: Rezzo
"While Mr. Jaffer would like nothing more than to regain control of the company he started, the law only allows for recovery of monetary damages under the circumstances," Jaffer's attorney Rezzo said.
Vungle fired Jaffer because of charges against him: Rezzo
Jaffer's attorney Rezzo has also said that a press release issued by Vungle shows that the company he had founded fired her client only because of the charges against him. "We are aware of the extremely serious allegations leveled against our former CEO, and we are shocked beyond words,'' read a statement that was issued by Vungle at the time.
