Ex-Google exec sues tech giant for firing him over groping complaint

White ex-Google executive sues tech giant for firing him ‘after he rejected Asian female boss’s groping advances at swanky NYC dinner – prompting her to accuse him of ‘microaggressions”

• Ryan Olohan, 48, claims he was fired from Google after rejecting his boss
• He accused Tiffany Miller of groping him at Manhattan’s Fig & Olive restaurant
• He claimed she said she retaliated against him after he reported her to HR

A former Google executive has claimed he was fired from the tech giant after he rejected his female boss’s advances when she allegedly groped him at a swanky dinner which prompted her to accuse him of ‘microaggressions.’

Ryan Olohan, 48, a married New Jersey father-of-seven, alleges Tiffany Miller rubbed his abdominals, told him he had a nice body and that her marriage lacked ‘spice,’ according to a lawsuit filed in November.

Miller, who is Asian, told Olohan she knew he liked Asian women — referring to his wife, who is also Asian.

The alleged incident happened at Manhattan’s Fig & Olive restaurant in December 2019, which Olohan said he reported to human resources the next week, but nothing ever came of the complaint. And that it was only the beginning of the harassment.

Olohan claims Miller began retaliating against him by reporting him to human resources for ‘microaggressions.’ He claims harassment went on until he was ultimately fired in August 2022 after 16 years with the company. 

Former Google executive Ryan Olohan, 48, claims he was fired after he rejected advances from his boss Tiffany Miller who allegedly groped him at Manhattan’s Fig & Olive restaurant 

Google executive Tiffany Miller is accused of rubbing Olohan’s abs, telling him he had a nice body and that her marriage lacked ‘spice,’ according to a lawsuit filed in November

Olohan had just been promoted to managing director of food, beverages, and restaurants and joined a new management team that included Miller, when the alleged incident happened at the company outing. 

The New Jersey father said he was initially uncomfortable bringing it up because many of his colleagues had been ‘drinking alcohol excessively.’

When he suggested later that night that Miller may have had ‘too much to drink,’ he was told that it was just ‘Tiffany being Tiffany.’ 

Olohan reported the incident to Google’s Human Resources department who ‘openly admitted that if the complaint was ‘in reverse’ — a female accusing a white male of harassment — the complaint would certainly be escalated,’ according to the lawsuit.

There was no discussion or investigation about the incident and Olohan claimed in the lawsuit there was retaliation from Miller after he filed his complaint with HR. 

In two instances mentioned in the lawsuit in which Miller allegedly criticized him and reported him to human resources for ‘microaggressions,’ there were managers present. 

Google’s Human Resources Business Partner, Jacky Schiestel agreed that Miller was ‘being petty’ in both instances and that there were no microaggressions from Olohan.

Olohan said Miller’s retaliation and hostility caused him anxiety and made him feel like he was on probation. 

Olohan had just been promoted to managing director of food, beverages, and restaurants and joined a new management team that included Miller, when the alleged incident happened at the company outing at Fig & Olive restaurant at 420 W 13th Street in Manhattan 

The New Jersey father said he was initially uncomfortable bringing it up because many of his colleagues had been ‘drinking alcohol excessively.’ Pictured: Fig & Olive in Manhattan 

When he suggested later that night that Miller may have had ‘too much to drink,’ he was told that it was just ‘Tiffany being Tiffany’

It continued at an event that was hosted by Google in December 2021, in which Miller drunkenly rebuked him front of numerous Google employees, loudly telling Olohan that she ‘disagreed with him 70 percent of the time’ and ‘did not like him 70 percent of the time.’

Miller later apologized to Olohan and admitted that she was ‘very drunk.’

But ‘although Google was aware that Miller’s continued harassment of Olohan stemmed from his rejection of her sexual advances, it again took no action,’ the suit claims. 

Olohan said he began feeling increasing pressure from his supervisor Adam Stewart, who told him in February 2022 that there were ‘obviously too many white guys’ on his management team, according to the lawsuit. 

Alleged retaliation by Miller continued and in an incident in April 2022, Olohan claims he was drunkenly berated by Miller during a company outing at a karaoke bar.

The suit claims Miller mocked him in front of Google employees and reiterated that she knew he preferred Asian women over white women.

Following his firing, Olohan joined the Klick Group as the executive vice president of growth. He also owns an ice cream shop in New Jersey

Ryan Olahan, former Google Managing Director of Food, Beverage & Restaurants, with wife Anne Lee Olohan and Michelle Obama in a photo posted Sept. 1, 2022 on his Facebook page

In June 2022, Schiestel informed Olohan that an employee had complained to Human Resources about him and approximately three weeks later, Olohan informed Schiestel that the complaint was made at Miller’s behest in retaliation for his refusing her sexual advances.

In June, Olohan was told to only hire female applicants for the team and in July, he was encouraged to fire a male employee to make room on his team for a woman, the suit claims.

The following month, Google fired Olohan, ending his employment after 16 years at the company.

During a videoconference call, Olohan said he was told by the Google Employee Investigations team that he was being fired because he was not ‘inclusive.’

Google’s Employee Investigations team explained that he had shown favoritism towards high performers, which it considered ‘non-inclusive,’and commented on employees’ walking pace and hustle, which it considered ‘ableist.’

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and names both Google and Miller as defendants accusing them of discrimination, retaliation, and fostering a hostile work environment.

Following his firing, Olohan joined the Klick Group as the executive vice president of growth. He also owns an ice cream shop in New Jersey. 

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