A 29-year-old female tech founder is suing 73-year-old VC Lucio Lanza alleging he sexually assaulted her on a plane
Lanza Tech Ventures
Danae Vachata, the 29-year-old cofounder of a medical surgical startup Mallium has filed a lawsuit against longtime Silicon Valley venture capital investor Lucio Lanza, alleging that he sexually assaulted her on a airplane.
In her complaint, Vachata says the incident occurred while on a red eye flight from San Francisco in July. She took her seat opened her laptop and sent a quick email. The complaint says that Lanza, the 73-year-old Managing Director of Lanza Tech Ventures, was sitting next to her and saw the work email and started a conversation, asking about her company. She viewed it as small talk. It turned out he was in the wrong seat and was asked to move, which he did but then, he kept coming back to the aisle to talk to Vachata, tell her about his investments and connections in the tech industry. At one point, she claims, he brought with him an alcoholic drink and gave it to her.
The person sitting in the seat next to Vachata, one of the airline's off-duty pilots, offered to switch seats with Lanza so that the two could continue the conversation. Vachata said that Lanza appeared to be drunk, smelling of alcohol and slurring his words. Once he was sitting next to her, she claims he started grabbing her arm, and then grabbed her breast, tried to kiss her, and, the complaint alleges he even put his hand between her thighs and tried to grab her crotch.During the alleged incident, Lanza also threatened her, she charges in the complaint, by talking about his power in the industry and about how he could "make or break" her career.
At the gate of her next flight, she asked the airline not not to seat her next to a male passenger and was refused. She told the airline of the alleged incident and was told to report it, which she did. The complaint says the airline also told her that Lanza was a "platinum member" with the airline and that may have explained why he had access to an abundance of alcohol.
The complaint says that Vachata suffered an anxiety attack on board her next flight, which caused her to briefly
pass out. She was escorted to emergency facilities on landing, where she also reported the alleged incident with Lanza. And the attack was also reported to law enforcement.
She's suing Lanza for emotional distress, punitive damages, attorneys' fees. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Santa Clara Countr Superior Court.
Lanza's attorneys and Lanza's VC firm, Lanza Tech Ventures could not immediately be reached for comment.
Lanza is known for his career as a VC, previously at U.S. Venture Partners and as the former CEO of EDA Systems back in the 1980s.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market