In a dramatic twist within Silicon Beach’s tech landscape, a lawsuit has emerged between Silicon Beach entrepreneur Jessica Mah and her investor Justin Caldbeck, characterized by a contentious mix of sexual misconduct claims, financial mismanagement allegations, and personal disputes involving a private jet and inappropriate workplace behavior.
On May 14, Jessica Mah, the founder of Mahway, filed a lawsuit against Justin Caldbeck, chief executive of D Global Ventures, in Los Angeles County Superior Court. In her filing, Mah accused Caldbeck of groping her, soliciting her for sex, and subsequently attempting extortion and defamation when his advances were rejected.
Less than a day after Mah’s lawsuit was lodged, Caldbeck responded with his own legal action. In his suit, he claimed that Mah had misled investors through false promises. He accused her of using investor funds to sustain a lavish lifestyle, including inappropriate expenditures like private jet rentals.
Mah’s representative asserted that Caldbeck’s claims were unfounded and would fail under scrutiny. “Justin Caldbeck’s claims collapse under the weight of the very documents he read, approved, and signed,” the spokesperson declared, emphasizing that Mah would not be intimidated in her pursuit of justice. A considerable penalty against Caldbeck was anticipated as a result of his alleged misconduct.
In a counterstatement, Caldbeck’s spokeswoman, Sallie Hofmeister, dismissed Mah’s allegations as a distraction from what she termed credible accusations of fund misuse. She claimed that nearly a year prior, Mah threatened to exploit past allegations against Caldbeck if he pursued legal action related to fraud and embezzlement.
Jessica Mah’s persona as a glamorous entrepreneur has been prominently featured on social media, where she portrays a lifestyle that includes jet piloting and Lamborghini racing. Conversely, Justin Caldbeck gained notoriety in 2017 as an early figure in Silicon Valley’s #MeToo movement, publicly apologizing after facing allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple Asian American entrepreneurs.
The escalating legal disputes paint a troubling picture of the relationships within the tech industry as it grapples with a cultural reckoning. Amid ongoing economic turbulence and mass layoffs, tech companies are increasingly questioning their priorities, especially around the perks afforded to executives.
In addition to the lawsuits filed by Mah and Caldbeck, another layer of litigation has emerged. On May 15, two former employees of Mahway, Walter Delph and William Mulholland, also filed suits alleging wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation against Mah. Their legal representation coincidentally overlaps with that of Caldbeck.
The lawsuits against Mah describe her as a self-proclaimed ‘unicorn breeder’—a term in the tech industry referring to startups valued over $1 billion—claiming in reality that her operations were misguided and funded by investors under false pretenses. The complaints from both Caldbeck and Mulholland assert that Mah misappropriated company funds for personal expenses while unfairly structuring payouts to her advantage.
The Mahway company, according to the allegations, is operated from Mah’s leased mansion in West Hollywood, which is alleged to be funded by company expenditures, reportedly costing about $16,500 a month.
Delph further claims that Mah engaged in age discrimination and sexual harassment, alleging verbal abuse and accusing her of engaging in an unhealthy workplace relationship with founding partner Andrea Barrica. Both Mah and Barrica have denied this relationship, with Delph specifically alleging inappropriate physical behavior during meetings.
Interestingly, Mah’s lawsuit against Caldbeck mirrors Delph’s accusations, detailing similar inappropriate touching during a business encounter at the Pendry Hotel in 2022.
In the ongoing exchange of accusations, Hofmeister characterized Mah’s legal claims as a distraction intended to divert attention from serious allegations of fraud against her. She stated, “Ms. Mah’s lawsuit is meritless and the latest example of her bullying tactics.”
In a quick counterattack, on May 15, Mah filed a lawsuit against Delph, alleging civil conspiracy and accusing him of colluding with Caldbeck and Mulholland to undermine her and seek financial gain from Mahway. This assertion was designed to mitigate the impact of the suits filed by the three men, who have insisted their legal actions were initiated independently of each other.
In his suit, Mulholland reported feeling compelled to resign to avoid the illegal activities he suspected Mah was directing. He described a toxic environment that raised concerns for his own legal liability stemming from Mah’s alleged mismanagement.
Amid these allegations, Barrica recently filed her own lawsuit, claiming sexual harassment and extortion against Caldbeck. She contends that he tried to make unwanted advances towards her during a business meeting in Paris and attempted to manipulate her regarding false allegations involving Mah.
Barrica recounts that in the face of Caldbeck’s alleged behavior, she and Mah attempted to foster a professional relationship with him while minimizing their interactions. Their efforts to maintain a cordial working relationship unraveled after disputes related to executive payouts surfaced.
Days before the latest wave of lawsuits was initiated, Barrica reportedly sought to resolve ongoing tensions with Caldbeck. However, she noted that his dismissive response indicated he was indifferent to any implications of wrongdoing, stating, “Even if Jess said that I raped her, I wouldn’t care. My investors wouldn’t care either.”
Concerns regarding Mah’s financial management practices reportedly drove both Delph and Mulholland to investigate further into company operations. Delph stated that he was terminated for voicing concerns about irregularities, while Mulholland felt compelled to leave, fearing he may become a scapegoat for Mah’s potential misdeeds.
As the disputes rage on, Caldbeck claims that his investment company has faced substantial monetary damages due to Mahway’s alleged mismanagement. A spokesperson for Caldbeck expressed optimism about unveiling the truth, asserting that Mah’s accusations would ultimately be proven hollow.
The ensuing litigation showcases a tempestuous environment in Silicon Beach, with a multitude of voices contending around issues of personal conduct, financial integrity, and the challenges inherent in navigating the tech industry’s high-stakes landscape.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-06/silicon-beach-lawsuits
