Judge rules Tesla can’t hide behind arbitration in sexual harassment case

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

A lawsuit that accusesTesla of fostering a workplace withrampant sexual harassment will continue in court after a California judge denied the company's motion for arbitration. The female worker who brought up the case signed an agreement with the company that ended her rights to file a lawsuit, but Alameda County Superior Court Judge Stephen Kaus still moved forward with the decision on Monday.

The lawsuit was filed last year by Jessica Barraza, who claimed she was subjected to catcalling, lewd comments, and inappropriate touching while working as a production associate at the factory. At least seven more female workers have come forward with sexual harassment complaints, with some accusing Musk of making it worse.

Judge Kaus said in a copy of the court documents that Barraza wasambushed byTesla's arbitration policies.

David Lowe said in a statement that this is a victory for public accountability. The jury of Ms. Barraza's peers will decide the case.

The ruling comes as Musk faces sexual misconduct allegations of his own, which came to light in a recent report from Insider. Musk allegedly exposed himself to a female flight attendant and gave her an ultimatum to have sex. The attendant brought the complaint to management and was given a $250,000 severance agreement by the company.

Musk and his team have denied the accusations, with Musk and his team calling them false in an email to employees. Musk has claimed that the piece was written in response to the aquisition he had placed on it.