Laura Danbom sues Amazon

Laura Danbom, a marketing and operations manager at Amazon Web Services in Seattle, sued Amazon for allegedly being raped by senior executive Michelangelo Simonte during a business trip to New York City.

Alleged rape on Oct 27, 2023

The alleged rape occurred on Oct. 27, 2023, when Danbom traveled to New York with colleagues including Michelangelo Simonte, a top-performing advertising executive based in Madrid.

Amazon-hosted events

The group attended an Amazon-hosted open bar event and karaoke bars all paid for by Amazon, according to the lawsuit.

Flirtation and hotel room

Early in the evening, Danbom and Simonte flirted, joked, and got along, but Simonte kissed her and persuaded her to let him accompany her to her hotel room.

Rape allegation

In Laura’s hotel room, Simonte raped her after she said no, and he ignored her protests, including saying 'you realize this is rape? Yes.'

“Before the rape began, she said no. During the rape, Laura asked him: 'you realize this is,' and Simonte finished her sentence saying 'rape? Yes.' He ignored her protests. He raped her.”

Police report

The next day, Danbom reported the incident to the NYPD, handing officers a condom Simonte left behind and submitting to a rape kit.

Amazon's response

Amazon put Simonte on a monthslong leave but claimed Danbom’s account was 'unfounded due to lack of evidence' and instructed her not to speak about the rape at work.

Consequence

Danbom took two leaves of absence, was transferred to a different role in 2024, and said it was an escape from her promotion path.