HR under scrutiny as ex-Tesla worker alleges rape, retaliation
A former Tesla worker in Nevada says she was raped by a supervisor, then fired days after disclosing her pregnancy and seeking time off.
Filed on Nov. 26, 2025, in the US District Court for the District of Nevada, the lawsuit centers on allegations about working conditions at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Sparks and touches directly on supervisor oversight, harassment prevention and how employers respond to pregnancy-related requests for leave and accommodation.
According to the filing, Vanessa Villanueva began working as a Production Associate at the Gigafactory on or about July 8, 2024. On or about July 23, 2024, she was transferred to work under supervisor Dimitrios Fountas, where team lead Octavio Garcia allegedly had direct supervisory authority over her daily work assignments, breaks and working conditions.
Beginning in or around August 2024 and continuing through January 2025, the lawsuit says, Garcia subjected her to severe and pervasive sexual harassment. The document describes sexually explicit comments about her in a bikini at a work party, an offer of money for sex, providing alcohol to her during shifts and causing her to become intoxicated, and repeatedly groping her breasts and buttocks on the production line. It also alleges that Garcia sent sexually explicit text messages using pet names such as “babygirl” and “chula” and engaged in quid pro quo harassment by offering extra breaks, early leave from...
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