Former SpaceX Manager Sues Over Allegations of Harassment, Retaliation, and Security Violations

A former security manager at SpaceX, who had access to sensitive U.S. government data, is taking legal action against the company and a senior staff member for discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation.

Jenna Shumway, promoted to Senior Contractor Program Security Officer after beginning her tenure in 2022, alleges that Daniel Collins, a former Defense Department official now overseeing security compliance for government contracts, violated top-secret protocols and failed to inform the government of this information.

Legal representatives for Shumway, Collins, and SpaceX have yet to respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.

Collins came into the spotlight in December 2024 after The New York Times reported on federal scrutiny regarding SpaceX’s inadequate security practices. According to the NYT, Collins discouraged the reporting of breaches in security clearances and permitted executives without necessary clearances to attend classified meetings, resulting in at least three federal reviews of security procedures.

In her lawsuit, Shumway claims she was passed over for the director position that Collins filled without being given an application opportunity. When Collins became her superior in early 2024, Shumway contends that her “work environment significantly deteriorated.” She accuses Collins of initiating a campaign of harassment against her, which involved systematically removing her duties and ultimately leading to her termination in October 2024.

The complaint further alleges that Collins’ harassment had repercussions for other female employees as well. This discrimination reportedly obstructed female staff from completing essential security responsibilities, set them up for non-compliance, involved making inappropriate remarks to one employee during meetings, and disrespectfully suggesting after-work drinks to a subordinate.

Shumway and other female employees repeatedly reported Collins to SpaceX Human Resources, but the lawsuit asserts that the company disregarded these complaints, merely advising them to avoid being alone with Collins. Shumway is seeking unspecified damages.

This is not the first time SpaceX has faced legal challenges regarding sexual discrimination. Previous lawsuits have cited comparable allegations of gender bias and a toxic work atmosphere that enabled harassment. The company is also currently under investigation by the California Civil Rights Department and the National Labor Relations Board for similar claims.

The lawsuit was initially filed in late May in Los Angeles County Superior Court and was later moved to federal court on June 30 at SpaceX’s request. It is categorized in the federal Central District of California under case number 2:22-cv-05959.