A former partner in a Silicon Valley venture capital firm has countersued a woman who claimed he sexually abused her for years, alleging she was trying to extort $40 million from him, CNBC reported.
The firm, Sequoia Capital, said Sunday it dismissed Michael Goguen after learning of the lawsuit on Thursday. Goguen joined the Menlo Park, California, firm in 1996 and sits on the board of some 10 companies.
Amber Laurel Baptiste filed a lawsuit March 8 in San Mateo County Superior Court, claiming Goguen abused her "sexually, physically and emotionally for over 13 years."
The lawsuit alleges that Goguen signed a contract agreeing to pay Baptiste $40 million in compensation but paid only $10 million.
In a cross-complaint filed Monday, Goguen's attorneys described a consensual relationship between Goguen and Baptiste and denied that Goguen abused the woman.
