With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Lawsuit: Here Are The Creepy, Threatening Texts A Former Tinder Exec Got From Her Boss
When a former Tinder exec slapped the company with a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit, exhibit A was a series of racist, homophobic and threatening text messages allegedly sent from a Tinder co-founder.
Tinder marketing vice president Whitney Wolfe dated Justin Mateen, who was co-founder, marketing chief and most importantly for this story, her boss at the time of these texts. They broke up while they were working together, and things got ugly. Wolfe took screenshots of the texts he sent her way, according to the lawsuit.
Wolfe says her complaints about Mateen harassing her—coupled with the fact that Tinder execs didn't take her seriously as a co-founder because she is a 24-year-old woman—eventually led to CEO Sean Rad firing her.
According to the lawsuit, these following texts were the threats Mateen sent to Wolfe. In them, she repeatedly tells him the messages are "inappropriate" and asks him to stop sending them, but he continues and makes anti-Muslim and homophobic comments about a new guy in her life. Here is just a snippet of some of the texts:
Parent-company IAC says it looks like the texts belong to Mateen, and he's been put on leave while they investigate. The company said in a statement, "Through that process, it has become clear that Mr. Mateen sent private messages to Ms. Wolfe containing inappropriate content."
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
-
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails.
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious.
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
-
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.