Judge denies Meta's request to dismiss sexual harassment lawsuit filed by early employee

A judge has denied Meta’s request to dismiss a lawsuit brought against it by early employee Kelly Stonelake.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Rothstein, who is overseeing the case, ruled this month that parts of Stonelake’s suit had merit, and the case will move forward.

“I hope this ruling encourages others who have experienced discrimination and toxic workplace cultures to consider the courts as one way to push for justice and accountability,” Stonelake said in a statement given to TechCrunch.

Stonelake, who worked at Meta from 2009 until being laid off in early 2024, filed a lawsuit against Meta in Washington state earlier this year, alleging sexual harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation. Meta moved the lawsuit to federal court and filed to dismiss Stonelake’s suit, saying he