In a shocking development, eight former engineers at SpaceX have filed a lawsuit against the company's CEO, Elon Musk, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation. The lawsuit claims that Musk knowingly created a hostile work environment by sharing demeaning sexual photographs, memes, and commentary targeting women and the LGBTQ+ community.

The employees' complaint, first reported by Bloomberg, highlights Musk's Twitter posts, which often include sexually explicit jokes. According to the plaintiffs, this behavior fostered a "perversely sexist culture" at SpaceX. Some of the engineers claim to have experienced direct harassment mimicking Musk's posts.

The complaint further alleges that senior engineers would use phallic language during technical meetings, referring to mechanical parts as "chodes" and "schlongs." Furthermore, engineers allegedly gave crude and demeaning names to products, such as "Upskirt Camera," which was used for a camera on the Falcon rocket.

The lawsuit also references a video featuring SpaceX's upper management, including Vice President of Human Resources Brian Bjelde, President and CEO Gwynne Shotwell, and Musk himself. The video is said to make light of sexual misconduct and banter, mocking the seriousness of the issue.

These former employees, who had previously voiced concerns about Musk's behavior and the company culture, collaborated on an open letter in 2022. Shortly after its publication, they were fired, with the lawsuit claiming that the termination orders came directly from Musk.

The lawsuit targets both Musk and SpaceX, with the plaintiffs accusing Musk of thinking he is above the law. Their attorney, Laurie Burgess, expressed determination in holding Musk accountable for his actions in court.

This lawsuit follows a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, revealing that Musk had sexual relationships with two SpaceX employees, including a former intern who later joined his executive team. Another woman, who declined Musk's proposal to have his children, allegedly faced negative consequences, including a denial of a raise.

Gwynne Shotwell, President and CEO of SpaceX, is also implicated in the lawsuit. The complaint claims that when one woman reported an alleged affair between her and Shotwell's husband, Shotwell sought to have her removed from the office of the CEO.

It is worth noting that in the past, former SpaceX employees have reported instances of a culture of sexual harassment within the company, with concerns about how HR handles such complaints.

SpaceX has not yet responded to requests for comment on these serious allegations. As the lawsuit moves forward, the spotlight remains on the company and its CEO, with the former engineers seeking justice for their claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.