A California judge has dismissed a civil lawsuit against Whitefish philanthropist and Two Bear Air benefactor Michael Goguen. Goguen was sued in early 2016 by a woman who claimed he sexually, physically and emotionally abused her for over 13 years, and later failed to pay her $40 million as part of a contract to sever their relationship. Michael Goguen, the well-known Whitefish venture capitalist and philanthropist, says gene-editing technology could be the key to curing cancer, Alzheimer’s and other diseases that have confounded humans for generations.

1. Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Whitefish
Philanthropist
A California judge has dismissed a civil lawsuit against Whitefish
philanthropist and Two Bear Air benefactor Michael Goguen.
Goguen was sued in early 2016 by a woman who claimed he sexually,
physically and emotionally abused her for over 13 years, and later failed to
pay her $40 million as part of a contract to sever their relationship.
The Silicon Valley investor, who was ousted from Sequoia Capital after the
lawsuit, fired back at Amber Baptiste, calling the claims a "vile collection of
lies" and counter-sued Baptiste almost immediately.
Judge Read Ambler wrote in his order, filed in San Mateo County Court on
Wednesday, that plaintiff Baptiste had repeatedly and willfully refused court
orders to turn over information in the case.
"While Baptiste is free to believe what she wants to believe, the orders are
binding on Baptiste, and her failure to comply with the orders is
unacceptable," Ambler wrote.
Diane Doolittle, Goguen's attorney, in an emailed statement on Thursday
said Baptiste had "perjured herself, concealed, destroyed and falsified key
evidence" in order to tear down the Whitefish businessman.
"The case began as a 'fatal attraction' and morphed into a campaign of
extortion, fraud and defamation," Doolittle wrote. "Mr. Michael Goguen
looks forward to complete vindication when his counter-suit and the related
federal criminal prosecution are complete."
Another California businessman, Bryan Gregg Waterfield Nash, who joined
the civil lawsuit in support of Baptiste, was recently indicted on extortion
charges related to her claims. Federal prosecutors alleged in June that Nash
used Baptiste's claims to try to extort $15 million dollars from Goguen by
threatening to expose him to claims by other women.
"Finally met your grim reaper and he waits at your door," Nash wrote,
according to the federal complaint.
In Nash's case, Michael Goguen is identified as "Businessman 1." Doolittle
told the Missoulian in August that her client had been victim to Nash's
extortion attempts for years.
Nash pleaded not guilty to the charges on Aug. 13.
Baptiste appears to be representing herself in the California case. An email
request for comment to Baptiste's address included in court documents was
not immediately returned Thursday.
Goguen's counter suit against Baptiste will continue, Doolittle said.