Jury Slaps Publicly Traded Bay Area Company With $9.15 Million Verdict For Harassment And Retaliation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 27, 2025

CONTACT: Max Szabo | (415) 828-6158

JURY SLAPS PUBLICLY TRADED BAY AREA COMPANY WITH $9.15 MILLION VERDICT FOR HARASSMENT AND RETALIATION

Power Integrations, a Publicly Traded Global Semiconductor Company, Found Liable for Unlawful Termination and Harassment of a Longtime Employee

SAN JOSE, CA– A Santa Clara County jury just awarded $9.15 million dollars to Peter Rogerson, a former Senior Director of Worldwide Marketing Communications at Power Integrations, Inc., finding that the San Jose-based semiconductor company unlawfully harassed Peter Rogerson based on his disability and ultimately fired him because he complained about harassment and discrimination.  Six million of the jury’s over nine-million-dollar verdict came in the form of punitive damages. Crucially, Rogerson’s attorneys introduced deposition footage at trial of Power Integrations CEO Balu Balakrishnan refusing to condemn the jokes about Mr. Rogerson’s disability. 

“I dedicated over a decade of my life to this company and never imagined I’d be treated like I didn’t matter,” said Peter Rogerson, plaintiff. “When I spoke up for myself, I was ostracized and punished for it by my colleagues. I’m grateful to the jury for seeing the truth and holding Power Integrations accountable.”

According to court records, Mr. Rogerson, 63, was a ten-year employee who had earned high praise for his performance, including from the company’s CEO, prior to his termination in 2020. Rogerson, who was seriously injured on a work trip, was repeatedly mocked for using a cane to walk—being joked at for being a “cripple,” told he looked “twenty years older” for walking with a stick and compared to a horse ready for the “glue factory”—by senior leadership and colleagues. Vice President of Marketing Douglas Bailey, Mr. Rogerson’s boss, admitted at trial that he called Mr. Rogerson gimpy and he did not feel ashamed about it.  

Rogerson complained to his boss, which was never reported to Human Resources.  Within months of his complaint to his boss, he was let go, being told it was not for performance, and the company was going in a different direction. Then, he was given two options: (1) resign now and take a severance, or (2) continue working for 4 months.  Then, Rogerson formally complained to HR about the harassment. Instead of responding to his concerns, the company accelerated his termination and did zero investigation into his complaints, despite Rogerson saying he had emails and text messages to support his claims. 

“Despite being praised for his performance, Power Integrations turned its back on an employee who gave ten years to the company the moment he stood up for himself,” said Tanya Gomerman, Rogerson’s attorney. “When even the CEO refuses to condemn that kind of behavior, it sends a message that retaliation and harassment is tolerated. Corporate culture is shaped from the top down, and so is accountability. The jury saw through the excuses and held the company responsible for its failure to protect one of its own.”

The jury found Power Integrations liable on multiple counts, including harassment based on disability, failure to prevent harassment, retaliation, and failure to prevent retaliation.  The jury also found that Power Integrations’ conduct warranted punitive damages. 

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Gomerman|Bourn and Associates specializes in employment law and personal injury cases. Since opening its doors in 2012, they have recovered well over $100 million for their clients. To learn more about Gomerman|Bourn and Associates, visit www.gobolaw.com