Elisabeth Diana Departs Deel Amid Espionage Lawsuit
Elisabeth Diana, who served as the head of communications for Deel, has officially left the company, according to updates on her LinkedIn profile. Bloomberg was the first to report her resignation, which comes at a turbulent time for Deel, recently entangled in a legal battle over serious allegations of corporate espionage.
Background on Deel and Recent Controversies
Deel, a leading human resources platform, finds itself in the spotlight following accusations of espionage initiated by rival company, Rippling. The lawsuit, announced on March 17, 2025, claims that Deel engaged in unethical practices, including violations of the RICO Act, misappropriation of trade secrets, and unfair competition.
Communications Leadership Transition
Diana, who held her position at Deel since November 2021, previously worked as the head of communications at Instagram and held senior communications roles at Facebook. In a statement given to TechCrunch, Deel expressed gratitude for Diana’s contributions during her time with the company, wishing her well in her future endeavors.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
The lawsuit by Rippling escalated with the release of an affidavit from an employee named Keith O’Brien, who, in addition to confirming allegations of spying, described activities that resembled a corporate espionage thriller. This includes claims of a sting operation and the destruction of evidence.
Deel’s Response to the Lawsuit
In response to the lawsuit, Deel has firmly denied any wrongdoing. The company asserts that Rippling is attempting to divert attention from accusations against itself relating to violations of Russian sanctions. Notably, O’Brien alleged that he was directed by Deel executives to make false statements to authorities regarding Rippling’s operations involving Russian payments.
The Future of Deel
Deel, which achieved a valuation of $12.6 billion, is backed by high-profile investors including General Catalyst, Andreessen Horowitz, Spark Capital, and Y Combinator. Just a few months ago, the company was reportedly exploring plans to go public, making the current legal struggles particularly critical for its future.
Conclusion
The departure of Elisabeth Diana amidst these allegations marks a significant shift for Deel during a critical time. As the legal battle unfolds, the tech industry is closely monitoring the potential impacts on Deel’s operations and reputation.
This article has been updated to include information regarding Diana’s resignation and additional context surrounding the ongoing legal issues faced by Deel.