NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A former CIA officer has been accused in a lawsuit of duping and sexually exploiting an aspiring covert operative. The court document, obtained by The Daily Beast, spans 58 pages and details the allegations made by the victim, identified only as "Jane Doe," who claims that Wiggins coerced her into engaging in sexual activities under the pretense of training her to use her body "as a weapon." However, the fabricated recruitment program did not lead to any advancement in her career aspirations but instead subjected her to ongoing sexual abuse and ultimately landed her in a psychiatric facility.
Who is Shaun Wiggins?
Shaun Wiggins currently serves as the co-founder and CEO of Soteryx, an Upstate New York data analytics consulting firm. According to the complaint, Wiggins, who touts his experience as a former CIA officer and a Clandestine Service Officer for the US Central Intelligence Agency, led Jane Doe to believe that her work at Soteryx and his connections would pave the way for her to join the CIA. He allegedly told her that sexual relationships between case officers on missions were not uncommon and that it was an integral part of the job. Doe, an aspiring cybersecurity specialist, saw the opportunity at Soteryx as a perfect stepping stone toward her dream career, leading her to trust Wiggins completely.
The complaint further alleges that Wiggins exerted control over Doe, isolating her from others and subjecting her to various forms of training. He insisted that their communication be conducted solely through WhatsApp, citing the need for untraceable communication as part of her training. Additionally, Wiggins withheld Doe's pay, leaving her in dire financial straits, and manipulated her by promising further "training exercises" as a condition for receiving her withheld wages. In a distressing example, when Doe struggled to afford food, Wiggins left $100 for her in a secure spot outside the Soteryx offices.
Deception and exploitation
The lawsuit claims that Wiggins was not conducting a genuine CIA recruitment but rather acted as a "groomer," exploiting his position of authority and power to force Doe into enduring repeated sexual assaults. Doe filed the complaint against Wiggins and Soteryx under New York State's Adult Survivors Act, which allows sexual assault victims a one-year "lookback window" to reopen cases that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations. As the window is set to close in November 2023, Doe's lawsuit seeks to hold her abuser accountable.
The lawsuit traces the origin of the allegations back to August 2017 when Doe was hired at Soteryx. Wiggins, who exclusively supervised Doe, made her believe that her work at the firm, along with his connections, would prepare her for a future CIA role. The complaint states that Doe understood the position would require trust in Wiggins and expose her to unique situations beyond a standard office job. Having graduated from college in 2009 with aspirations of joining the CIA, Doe sought practical work experience to enhance her resume, which led her to approach Wiggins after learning about his CIA background on the Soteryx website.
Unveiling the manipulation
Doe and Wiggins met several times, during which no formal job offer was made. However, after a chance encounter in a Saratoga Springs coffee shop, Wiggins expressed interest in hiring Doe, assuring her that working for him would serve as a gateway to the CIA through his experience and connections. From that point onward, Wiggins gradually assumed control over Doe, separating her from others under the guise of training. Their communication was limited to WhatsApp, and Wiggins demanded her availability 24/7, claiming she was an agent in waiting. Doe believed she was being trained for actual CIA techniques and was enthusiastic about the prospect.
The nature of their conversations soon took a different turn, with Wiggins complimenting Doe's appearance and discussing matters related to tradecraft. In October 2017, Wiggins mentioned conducting "off-limits" training, and Doe believed it would simulate genuine CIA techniques. The complaint details instances where Wiggins spoke about his own CIA recruitment and a female officer who supposedly used "sexual tactics" to test his loyalty. Doe, thinking she was being developed for a superior officer role, followed Wiggins' instructions and endured sexual assaults, perceiving them as part of her training.
The lawsuit highlights a specific incident in January 2018, where Doe accompanied Wiggins on a trip to New York City. Wiggins booked only one hotel room, and when Doe secured a second room, he became visibly irritated, accusing her of ruining everything. Later, Wiggins instructed Doe to kiss a man nearby to signal her commitment to recruitment, falsely claiming the man was an undercover CIA agent. Doe returned to Wiggins' room for a conference call with Soteryx's COO, but upon her return to her own room, Wiggins, clad in only boxers and a T-shirt, forced himself on her.
Struggling to make ends meet
Doe's financial situation remained dire as Wiggins continued to withhold her pay. In February 2018, she confronted Wiggins about her concerns regarding the training process, to which he responded with promises. In a distressing turn of events, Wiggins raped her again, and Doe felt compelled to comply, believing it was a test she had to endure to fulfill her dreams. Despite continuing abuse, Doe received only small increments of payment, far less than her promised annual salary of $50,000.
Over the following years, Doe sought legal recourse, reaching out to multiple law enforcement agencies to understand her options. It was only in 2021, when a legal aid attorney, who was also a coworker and listened to Doe's story, affirmed that she had been a victim of rape. Subsequently, Doe disclosed her experience to her family, underwent treatment at a psychiatric hospital, and continues her recovery, enduring serious psychological injuries, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
Doe's lawsuit seeks undisclosed damages for sexual assault, battery, infliction of emotional distress, gender discrimination, and sexual harassment. She has requested anonymity, citing the embarrassment she has already faced among her family, friends, and coworkers, and the disruption of her personal life. Wiggins and Soteryx have yet to file a response to the allegations in court. The case unfolds against the backdrop of the Adult Survivors Act, providing a limited opportunity for victims to hold their abusers accountable, as the window for filing lawsuits under the act closes in November 2023.
