A former high-ranking executive at Swiftly Systems Inc. has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the company and its legal counsel, Littler Mendelson, of conspiring to fire her in retaliation for exposing CEO misconduct. The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court on Tuesday, alleges sex discrimination, racial bias, national origin bias, and retaliation under Title VII, Section 1981, and New York human rights laws.
Jiin Ko, who is Korean American and previously served as Swiftly’s chief people officer, claims she was abruptly informed on Monday that her employment would be terminated, effective March 7.
A Power Struggle Unfolds
Ko, who joined Swiftly in 2023, quickly took on additional roles, including chief financial officer and overseeing IT operations. But tensions escalated when she began questioning CEO Henry Kim’s alleged discriminatory practices and financial conduct.
According to the lawsuit, Kim harbored “deeply bigoted views” toward women, caregivers, and Koreans, making statements that clashed with federal civil rights laws. Ko alleges that Kim explicitly resisted hiring executives with young children and showed disdain for workplace accommodations under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
Ko also accuses Kim of using Swiftly’s corporate funds for lavish personal expenses, including relocation costs, a Super Bowl trip with an investor, and a high-end United Global Services Membership.
When Ko raised concerns about these issues, she says she became the target of retaliation.
