Phaneesh's dalliance with Roiz led to pregnancy: law firm

BANGALORE, INDIA: In a new twist to the sexual harassment saga that took down now former chief executive officer of iGate, Phaneesh Murthy - for a second time in his long career - a California-based law firm, Aiman-Smith & Marcy, has claimed that the alleged victim, Araceli Roiz, iGate head of Investor Relations, is carrying his baby.

Hence, it is contemplating a legal suit against Murthy, it is learnt. According to a statement issued by the legal firm, Murthy apprised the iGate board of his association with Roiz only after she informed him that she would initiate legal action against him.

Incidentally, it is the same firm that was behind the earlier sex harassment lawsuits on behalf of Reka Maximovitch and Jennifer Griffith, both filed against Murthy, one of which led to his sacking from Infosys in 2002 and subsequently, an out-of-court mutual settlement.

Earlier, in response to a query on a person being indicted twice in a span of 10 years for the same misconduct, Murthy said, "It's the same lawyer... representing both people (women involved in the two cases of sexual harassment). Now, do you think the odds are different?" Murthy also had mentioned that he was in relationship with Roiz for a few months and the case was an extortion bid.

On this, the law firm has stated: "Murthy's comments are defamatory and a despicable attempt to 'blame the victim', who only wants to somehow continue her career and support her child."

Aiman-Smith & Marcy also has pointed out that Roiz remains an employee of iGate and is on medical leave currently. "When he discovered this (that Roiz was pregnant), Murthy pressured Ms Roiz to have an abortion. When she refused, he told her to leave the company, quietly, to protect his position as CEO," it said in the statement, as quoted by PTI.

"On behalf of Roiz, we are contemplating next steps, which will certainly include court action against Murthy and iGate," it said adding the Fremont, California-based company was liable for the conduct of its CEO.