CEO Accused of Forcing Employee to Find Masseuse Denies 'Money Grab' Claims

A California-based legal recruiter is fighting back against allegations that she forced her executive assistant to search sexually explicit websites for a masseuse, labeling the claims "a baseless money grab" in court filings. Amy Kossoris, CEO of an executive search firm, argues that her former employee, Kaynaz Farhood, has fabricated a "salacious but false narrative" intended to embarrass her.

Farhood originally filed a lawsuit alleging that Kossoris ordered her to use the website Masseur Finder to locate a male massage therapist for "highly personal massage services" prescribed by a surgeon. According to the initial complaint, these services were for medical purposes following spinal surgery. Kossoris's filing states that she had compiled a list of websites recommended by medical professionals for her recovery, as she had undergone spinal surgery to remove screws from a previous operation. She also asserts that Masseur Finder, which describes itself as an "LGBTQI-friendly massage therapists and bodyworkers" directory, does not contain sexually explicit content.

"Ms. Farhood’s suggestion that she was required to perform ‘sexually offensive tasks’ for Amy Kossoris’ personal use is a lie," Kossoris’s filing contends. Her attorney, Patricia Glaser, told The Post that the narrative presented by Farhood is "palpably false" and "came out of nowhere."

Farhood's initial complaint stated that the assignment crossed professional boundaries and made her "feel deeply uncomfortable." However, Kossoris's cross-complaint suggests that Farhood's employment in 2025 was marked by issues, including client complaints. The filing indicates that Farhood received a final warning after "numerous policy violating incidents" before taking a five-month medical leave and subsequently resigning voluntarily. Glaser stated, "She got a bad review, not a firing, went on medical leave, and she quit."

Kossoris is seeking a judgment in her favor, with Glaser describing her client as "one of the most hard working, earnest people I’ve worked with in a long time."