Dating app Tinder and its parent company, IAC, have settled a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit by Whitney Wolfe, a co-founder and former executive with the company. "Whitney's lawsuit against Tinder has been resolved without admission of wrongdoing," John Mullan, a partner at Rudy Exelrod Zieff & Lowe LLP, the firm representing Wolfe, told NBC News.
Wolfe, Tinder's former vice president of marketing, had filed a lawsuit June 30 accusing company co-founder and chief marketing officer Justin Mateen, with whom she had a brief romantic relationship, of sending her "a barrage of horrendously sexist, racist, and otherwise inappropriate comments, emails and text messages." She also alleged that Mateen and Tinder CEO Sean Rad removed her title as co-founder because of her gender.
Mullan did not disclose the size of the settlement late Monday. Wolfe had sought compensatory damages, including restitution, lost pay and punitive damages. Tinder did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.
Mateen was suspended in the wake of the allegations. An IAC spokesman confirmed the lawsuit was settled without admission of wrongdoing but would not comment on Mateen's employment status. The company previously confirmedMateen sent "inappropriate" messages to Wolfe that it "unequivocally condemn(s)," while adding that the "allegations with respect to Tinder and its management are unfounded.”
IN-DEPTH
- Tinder Co-Founder Suspended After Sex Harassment Lawsuit Filed
- Tinder CEO Calls Sex Harassment Claims 'Inaccurate' in Internal Memo
- Hook, Line and Tinder: Scammers Love Dating Apps