Vungle CEO, Zainali Jaffer, charged with child sexual abuse and assault

Zainali "Zain" Jaffer, CEO and co-founder of ad tech company Vungle, was charged with multiple felonies involving his 3-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter in San Mateo County, California on Tuesday, according to police.

Vungle serves in-app ads. Clients includes Warner Brothers, Electronic Arts, Sony, Nickelodeon, Sega, Zygna, Coca-Cola, the NFL, P&G, L'Oréal, Sega, and Unilever. Vungle has a $300 million run rate in February, with Jaffer noting “I think we’re in that one sector of advertising technology that is continuing to explode.”

Jaffer, is alleged to have sexually assaulted and attacked his 3-year-son, and his 1-year-old daughter was also harmed. Jaffer resisted arrest and spit at an officer who was trying to detain him. Initially, he was also charged with attempt to murder but the charge was dropped due to lack of evidence. Jaffer's father had called police, and family members suspected that he was under the influence of LSD.

Jaffer has also been removed as CEO effective immediately, Rick Tallman will replace Jaffer as CEO. Vungle sent a statement to Adage:

"While we do not have any information that is not in the public record at this point, these are extremely serious allegations, and we are shocked beyond words," the statement says. "While these are only preliminary charges, they are obviously so serious that it led to the immediate removal of Mr. Jaffer from any operational responsibility at the company. The company stressed that this matter has nothing to do with Mr. Jaffer's former role at the company.
We learned of the allegations late Monday night, and convened a board meeting, removed him as CEO and I was appointed permanent CEO all within 24 hours. He did not step down for personal reasons as has been erroneously reported. We removed him as rapidly as possible."

Bail was set at $300,000 and Jaffer is currently out on bail. Jaffer is being represented by Palo Alto-based attorney Daniel Olmos of Nolan, Barton, Bradford and Olmos. Jaffer has been charged with one felony count each of oral copulation against his 3-year-old son, committing a forcible lewd act against his son, assault likely to produce great bodily harm, also against his son, and child abuse against his 3-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter. Jaffer is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 1.