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ICANN settles $77 million sexual harassment suit

Kevin Murphy, July 24, 2025, 20:52:06 (UTC), Domain Policy

ICANN has settled another sexual harassment lawsuit filed against it by a former employee.

An ICANN spokesperson said the case, filed last August by 22-year meetings-team veteran Tanzanica King, “has been resolved”. King did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

King had asked for $77 million in damages, approximately half of ICANN’s annual budget, alleging she was the victim of a widespread “frat boy culture” that contributed to her being sexually harassed by her boss, passed over for promotions, and paid less than male colleagues.

The settlement, any financial component of which will no doubt be for a tiny fraction of what was demanded, seems to have come just a few weeks after ICANN lost its attempt to get the case thrown out and referred instead to arbitration.

A Los Angeles judge in June ruled that King was protected by a post-#MeToo law, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (EFAA), even though her employment contract dated back to 2002.

ICANN said last year that the allegations were “untrue” and that it “strives to create a positive, safe, and inclusive work and community environment, and is committed to the highest possible standards of ethical, moral, and legal business conduct.”

It’s at least the third time ICANN has had to settle sexual harassment suits in recent years.


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Comments (2)

  1. Rubens Kuhl says:

    Let’s see if the employees fired for speaking at this sexual harassment lawsuit will settle or file a class-action suit of their own.

  2. Steve Gobin says:

    “The settlement, any financial component of which will no doubt be for a tiny fraction of what was demanded”
    Well, I’d gladly take such a “tiny” fraction, even just 1% 😉
    Anyway, I was Tanzie’s colleague for about 6 years and only have positive things to say about her. I hope the settlement was to her satisfaction.

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