A civil jury in Austin, Texas found software giant and Fortune 100 company Microsoft liable for employment discrimination based on wrongful discharge and ordered the company to pay $11.6 million to senior sales executive Michael Merceica, who was found to have been the victim of a vindictive ex-girlfriend who was also his boss.

The three-year court battle focused on the defamation lawsuit lodged by Merceica against marketing consultant Tracy Rummel and the wrongful discharge suit filed against Microsoft in 2011.

The court discovered that Rummel, along with Merceica’s former girlfriend, his direct manager and the regional sales director, Lori Aulds, had spread a rumor that Merceica had sexually assaulted Rummel. However, rather than charging Merceica with sexual harassment, his managers instead created a hostile working environment for him.

If you have been the victim of injustice in your workplace, whether through discrimination, wrongful termination, or the creation of a hostile work environment in Austin, the experienced legal team at the John Melton Law Firm is ready to help. Call us today at (512) 330-0017 to learn more about what we can do for you.