Carta Settles Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Lawsuits

Carta Faces Multiple Lawsuits Alleging Workplace Misconduct

In 2020, Carta, a cap table management company, gained notoriety when Emily Kramer, a former Vice President of Marketing, initiated legal action alleging both gender discrimination and retaliatory measures.

That initial case reached a settlement in 2023. However, subsequent to this, Carta has reportedly resolved two further lawsuits brought forth by women previously employed by the firm, with allegations centering on sexual harassment and discrimination, as indicated by legal documents reviewed by TechCrunch.

Allegations Against CRO Jeff Perry

On January 9, 2025, Carta finalized a settlement regarding a 2023 lawsuit filed by Alexandra Rogers, a former sales manager. Rogers alleged that Jeff Perry, Carta’s Chief Revenue Officer, engaged in inappropriate physical contact, specifically groping her thigh and leg on two distinct occasions.

The complaint further asserts that Rogers was terminated from her position less than two months following her report of the alleged sexual harassment to the Human Resources department.

Both Carta and Perry have issued strong denials regarding any wrongdoing. Perry, individually named in Rogers’ complaint, filed a counter-claim for defamation in October 2023. This counter-claim has now been entirely dismissed as a result of the settlement.

Carta has confirmed to TechCrunch that the matter has been resolved confidentially, with no acknowledgement of liability.

Amanda Taggart, Carta’s VP of Communications, stated, “Carta has consistently demonstrated a commitment to workplace equality and the equitable treatment of all employees.” Attempts to obtain a comment from Rogers’ legal representatives by TechCrunch were unsuccessful.

Third Lawsuit Settled by Carta

The resolution of the Rogers case represents the third instance of Carta settling a lawsuit originating from a former female employee within San Francisco’s Superior Court.

TechCrunch is reporting, for the first time, that Carta also settled a complaint filed by Amanda Sheets, a former account executive, in November 2023.

Disability and Gender Discrimination Claims

Sheets’ complaint detailed allegations of termination due to her attempts to work remotely while managing chronic migraines. She asserted that male colleagues were permitted to work from home without similar challenges.

Sheets further claimed denial of reasonable accommodations for her disability and that she was subjected to sex discrimination.

Similar to Rogers’ case, Sheets’ complaint named Perry personally, alleging his involvement in her remote work request and a subsequent requirement to complete a new form. Carta, while denying Sheets’ claims, vigorously contested Perry’s inclusion in the lawsuit and sought his dismissal from the case, as communicated to TechCrunch.

However, prior to any ruling on the motion to dismiss, all involved parties reached a settlement. Sheets’ lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.

Prior Scrutiny of Carta’s Workplace Culture

Carta has previously faced examination regarding the treatment of women and other employees.

In 2020, both current and former employees shared experiences with The New York Times, describing instances of being marginalized, demoted, or receiving pay reductions after raising concerns about the company’s operational practices.

Business Insider reported in 2023 that Carta had engaged an individual in 2020 specifically to address and rectify a “toxic, boys club” environment within the firm, as described by that employee.

CEO’s Response and Subsequent Criticism

However, CEO Henry Ward responded defensively in 2023, publishing a post on Medium that suggested he had been targeted by journalists seeking to advance their careers through the exposure of perceived “bad behavior” at companies.

This post was met with criticism for inadvertently drawing attention to negative publicity surrounding Carta.