MrBeast’s company has been sued by a former employee over alleged harassment and workplace gender bias.
‘I Was Still Bleeding’: MrBeast’s Company Sued Over Alarming Harassment and Job Loss Charges
A former MrBeast employee has filed a federal lawsuit against the YouTuber's company alleging she was fired after returning from maternity leave and that she faced s*xual harassment and gender discrimination in the workplace, reports say.
According to the Associated Press, Lorrayne Mavromatis, who worked as a social media manager at MrBeast's company, filed the lawsuit at a North Carolina federal court on Wednesday, April 23, accusing MrBeastYouTube, LLC, and GameChanger 24/7, LLC, of violating federal law that allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons, including childbirth.
Mavromatis told the Associated Press that even after giving birth to her baby, she was working "nonstop" from the delivery room.
"I was still bleeding, and I just had to show up," she said. She was allegedly fired from her post after returning to work full-time three weeks later.
Mavromatis also lodged a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging discrimination based on s*x, pregnancy and retaliation.
YouTuber and author Rosanna Pansino posts about the latest MrBeast controversy.
Lorrayne Mavromatis Describes MrBeast's Company as a 'Boy's Club'
In her complaint filed at the North Carolina federal court, Mavromatis reportedly described MrBeast's company as a "boy's club."
According to her, one company leader commented on her appearance on more than one occasion.
Mavromatis alleged that the company's former CEO, James Warren, had dismissed her complaints regarding a colleague s*xually harassing her.
When she asked why MrBeast did not work with her on a few projects, Warren allegedly told her that she was a "beautiful woman" and that her "appearance had a certain s*xual effect on Jimmy [MrBeast]."
Notably, the real name of MrBeast is Jimmy Donaldson.
Mavromatis, who was first hired as head of Instagram before later being promoted to head of creative, also said that "s*xually inappropriate comments were acceptable at MrBeast [the company] and that complaining could adversely affect her employment."
MrBeast's Company Issues Statement Following Lawsuit
A spokesperson for Beast Industries told the Associated Press in an emailed statement that the lawsuit is a "clout-chasing complaint" built on "deliberate misrepresentations and categorically false statements."
According to the spokesperson, Mavromatis' position was removed after the new head of ecommerce reorganized her team.
MrBeast's team releases alleged messages disputing claims made by former employee Lorrayne Mavromatis.
"There is extensive evidence — including Slack and WhatsApp messages, company documents and witness testimony — that unequivocally refutes her claims. We will not submit to opportunistic lawyers looking to manufacture a payday from us," the statement read.
"This is an allegation fabricated for the sole purpose of sparking headlines. It's also disgusting that the lawsuit is exploiting Jimmy's eye condition and Crohn's disease — two medical conditions he has been publicly open about — in their attempt to secure a multimillion-dollar payday," a spokesperson told Deadline.