FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Makarem & Associates filed a lawsuit on May 4th, 2026, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, against ILLUMINA, INC., and SANTOSH PADMAGIRISON. Case number: 26CU024888C
LOS ANGELES – May 4th, 2026– ILLUMINA, INC. and SANTOSH PADMAGIRISON are facing lawsuits alleging that ILLUMINA, INC., a leading biotech company, did not protect a female employee from grooming and sexual harassment by her supervisor, PADMAGIRISON.
Defendant ILLUMINA, INC. is a corporation doing business in California, including in San Diego County. The Plaintiff, JANE DOE, began working for ILLUMINA in October 2018. She reported to her Director, PADMAGIRISON, who was eleven years her senior and held authority over her compensation, assignments, and promotions. The Complaint alleges that from the outset, Defendant PADMAGIRISON pushed inappropriate and sexually explicit conversations onto DOE and found ways to isolate her. Allegedly, PADMAGIRISON consistently reminded DOE of his power over her career and told her that she owed him. To prevent DOE from reporting, PADMAGIRISON allegedly told Plaintiff that going to HR would be career suicide.
The Complaint alleges that PADMAGIRISON declared his love for DOE and forcibly kissed her. After this incident, PADMAGIRISON would allegedly regularly kiss and grope DOE and masturbate in her presence. Allegedly, DOE attempted to end the situation, but PADMAGIRISON refused. He coerced DOE into performing oral sex on him in his car under extreme emotional pressure and fear for her job, the Complaint alleges. At an ILLUMINA conference in January 2023, in front of many colleagues, PADMAGIRISON allegedly accused DOE of climbing the corporate ladder using other men, and stalked her through the venue until colleagues physically intervened, and sent her a threatening email that night.
DOE reported PADMAGIRISON to HR, providing witnesses, details, and evidence of their non-consensual relationship, and asked for ILLUMINA’s help in getting a restraining order against him. The Complaint alleges that, rather than take proper action, ILLUMINA allowed him to resign and honored him with a farewell party. Allegedly, the head of HR closed her complaint by telling her that he hoped she had “learned her lesson” and that she would “act with more discretion” going forward. Throughout her employment, DOE was also passed over for promotions while less-qualified male peers advanced, the Complaint alleges, in retaliation for her complaints.
As a result of Defendants’ conduct, DOE has suffered lost wages and benefits, emotional distress, and damage to her professional reputation. The Complaint alleges that she suffered severe stress and anxiety that rendered her unable to work, and was placed on doctor-ordered medical leave due to symptoms directly attributable to the hostile and retaliatory work environment. The Complaint alleges that DOE’s working conditions were intolerable, and no reasonable employee in DOE’s position could have continued under these circumstances. As a result, DOE was forced to resign from ILLUMINA.
For more information or to confidentially discuss a potential claim, please contact Makarem & Associates at 1-800-610-9646 or [email protected].
About Makarem & Associates: Makarem & Associates is a compassionate and dedicated California law firm focused on representing victims of workplace sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination. The firm is also committed to securing justice for victims of sexual assault and advocating for consumer rights.
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