Select quotation of texts by RBC allegedly used to justify the termination of the CFO, claims the lawyer
In a dramatic turn of events, Nadine Ahn, the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), has filed a lawsuit against the bank for $36 million, alleging wrongful termination and public humiliation. Ahn claims that the bank selectively quoted texts to justify her firing and cites "palpable reputational harm" as part of her lawsuit filed in Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
The crux of the dispute revolves around the authenticity of RBC’s stated reason for terminating Ahn, which involved an alleged undisclosed relationship with Ken Mason, RBC's former head of capital and term funding. Ahn disputes this claim, asserting that it was a pretext to conceal the real reasons for her dismissal.
RBC, in response, has countersued, demanding the clawback of excess compensation. The bank dismissed both Ahn and Mason in April, and both executives have since sued the bank for wrongful termination.
Ahn denies knowledge of a poem that RBC alleged Mason wrote in her honour, the "LoveBook," or that Mason kept a coaster from a meeting between them at a Toronto restaurant. She also denies any involvement in "Project Ken," an alleged effort to help Mason achieve greater responsibility and compensation at RBC.
Ahn's lawyers claim that she quoted William Shakespeare in an email and had quoted dialogue from "War and Peace" in other messages. They also assert that a text message exchange between Ahn and Mason, in which she wrote "I love you," was a joking response to Mason mocking her.
Ahn took issue with RBC's assertion that she fired an employee over an undisclosed relationship that was "substantively identical" to her own with Mason, stating that they were not in a romantic relationship. She also pushed back against some of the interpersonal messages RBC used to build the argument that her friendship with Mason crossed boundaries.
In its countersuit, RBC cited messages between Ahn and Mason, along with mementos they made indicating they had pet names for one another. The bank also claimed that Ahn overrode objections from senior bank officers to promote Mason to vice president and head of capital and term funding.
Ahn's lawyers asserted that an email written by Ahn under stress and experiencing insomnia was taken out of context by RBC. Ahn also asserted that she received differential treatment as a woman in the bank's leadership, claiming that men in similar positions shared close friendships without scrutiny.
Mason's nickname, KD, stands for Kraft Dinner, referring to the Canadian equivalent to macaroni and cheese, and Ahn's nickname, Prickly Pear, allegedly refers to her sometimes abrasive nature.
Mark Fletcher, Ahn's lawyer, stated that RBC selectively quoted communications between Ahn and Ken Mason to embarrass and intimidate her. He reiterated that Ahn and Mason were good friends and nothing more, and that Mason earned his compensation increases and promotion with performance and merit.
The filing states that Ahn's friendship with Mason was not a conflict of interest. Fletcher also emphasized that the bank's actions have caused Ahn significant reputational harm, and she is seeking damages to rectify this.
This ongoing legal dispute promises to shed light on the complexities of corporate leadership, interpersonal relationships, and the boundaries between personal and professional conduct.
The ongoing legal dispute between Nadine Ahn and the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) centers around alleged wrongful termination and public humiliation. Amidst this, both parties are embroiled in allegations regarding their business and financial dealings, as Ahn contests RBC's claims of an undisclosed relationship with Ken Mason, the bank's former head of capital and term funding. Furthermore, RBC is countersuing Ahn by demanding the clawback of excess compensation, bringing the issues of finance and business to the forefront of the legal battle.
