TechCrunch founder sues ex-girlfriend over rape claims

TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington filed a lawsuit against his ex-girlfriend on Tuesday over claims that he raped her in 2012.

The lawsuit, obtained by Gawker, accuses Jennifer Allen of "defamation" and "publication in false light."

The lawsuit claims she attempted to "smear plaintiff’s name on the internet, to destroy his reputation, and to deter third persons from associating with him," and that her statements were "highly offensive to a reasonable person and were published with malice."

Allen in March alleged on her Facebook page that Arrington physically abused her. In a comment posted on Gawker, she also alleged that Arrington had raped her.

Arrington responded by publishing a lengthy letter that portrayed Allen as an emotionally unstable scorned lover.

The letter by Arrington's attorneys said Allen's allegations were "factually impossible" and demanded "an immediate retraction by you of each of the previous statements."