A new lawsuit has emerged from within the ranks of SpaceX, Elon Musk's prominent aerospace firm. Jenna Shumway, a former senior manager, has taken legal action against the company, alleging a troubling pattern of harassment and security concerns. The case, which started in Los Angeles County Superior Court and has now moved to federal jurisdiction, raises serious questions about SpaceX's internal culture and practices.
Jenna Shumway, who served as a senior contractor program security officer, directed her lawsuit at SpaceX and Daniel Collins, a key figure responsible for overseeing government security compliance. Collins, with a background as a Defense Department official, joined SpaceX in the spring of 2024. Shumway contends that her work environment took a turn for the worse upon Collins's arrival. She reports a systematic pattern of harassment from Collins, leading to a gradual stripping away of her responsibilities within the company. This alleged mistreatment reached its peak with her termination in October 2024.
The lawsuit details a broader pattern of misconduct, asserting that Collins frequently sidelined women from essential security duties and engaged in inappropriate behavior. Examples of this behavior include Collins staring at a female employee's chest and using suggestive language when inviting another female employee for drinks. Shumway and other women approached SpaceX's human resources with their concerns, but the response was tepid: staff were advised to avoid being alone with Collins, rather than addressing the core issues.
Adding to the harassment accusations are claims of compromised national security. Shumway accuses Collins of violating top-secret protocols and hiding these breaches from federal authorities. These allegations correlate with a New York Times report from December 2024, which highlighted SpaceX's problematic security practices. According to the report, Collins dissuaded employees from reporting violations and permitted unauthorized individuals access to classified meetings, sparking at least three federal reviews into SpaceX's security measures.
SpaceX finds itself no stranger to legal troubles, as this lawsuit adds to a series of similar complaints from other employees. The California Civil Rights Department and the National Labor Relations Board are both conducting investigations into the company, focusing on sexual discrimination, hostile work environment allegations, and other management issues.
The unfolding story of Jenna Shumway's lawsuit against SpaceX has cast a spotlight on the company's workplace dynamics and adherence to security protocols. As the federal court reviews the complaint, the public and industry observers await to see whether the case will advance to trial. Neither SpaceX nor Daniel Collins has offered a public response to the allegations.
