Amazon Employee Sues, Alleging Executive Rape and Company Cover-Up

A marketing and operations manager for Amazon Web Services has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging that a senior executive raped her during a business trip to New York City in October 2023 and that Amazon subsequently failed to conduct a thorough investigation while instructing her to remain silent.

Laura Danbom, who is based at Amazon's Seattle headquarters, claims the incident occurred on October 27, 2023. She had traveled to New York with colleagues, including Michelangelo Simonte, an advertising executive based in Madrid. According to the lawsuit, the group attended Amazon-sponsored events that evening before Danbom and Simonte went to her hotel room at the Hyatt Place in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

The complaint alleges that Danbom told Simonte "no" before the encounter began and that he ignored her protests, acknowledging the act as rape when she questioned him. The following day, Danbom reported the incident to the New York Police Department, submitting to a rape kit and providing a condom left behind by Simonte, the lawsuit states.

During a monitored phone call with Danbom, Simonte reportedly told a detective he was "200% sure" no sexual intercourse occurred, though he later told police he was too drunk to remember, according to the suit. The NYPD declined to refer the case to prosecutors, citing exhaustion of investigative avenues, though the lawsuit claims police did not interview key witnesses immediately after the alleged rape.

Danbom informed Amazon's human resources department two days after the alleged incident. The company investigated and placed Simonte on a leave of absence, but ultimately concluded that he did not violate company policy, deeming Danbom's account "unfounded due to lack of evidence" and a "he said, she said" situation.

The lawsuit asserts that Amazon's investigation was inadequate, failing to interview corroborating witnesses or gather available evidence. It further alleges that Amazon asked Danbom "inappropriate and re-traumatizing questions" that implied she had not done enough to prevent the attack. The company reportedly told Danbom that her allegations were "highly confidential" and instructed her not to discuss the matter at work.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that the company takes such allegations seriously and has zero tolerance for workplace sexual misconduct. "We thoroughly investigate each report we receive and take appropriate action, up to and including termination, against those who are found to have violated our policies," Nantel said. "We have robust policies and trained investigators in place to ensure each concern is heard and addressed with the proper care."

Danbom claims she was told she would need to continue working with Simonte directly via phone, email, and remote meetings. She took two leaves of absence following the incident. After seeking a new role within the company, she was transferred in 2024 to a position where she would not interact with Simonte, a move she described as an "escape" that caused her to abandon a path toward promotion.

The lawsuit seeks lost wages, including front and back pay, lost bonuses, and other employment benefits to be determined at trial. It also invokes Washington State's Silenced No More Act, which protects employees who report workplace assaults from retaliation.

Simonte, who continues to work for Amazon in Madrid, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.