Allegations of rape and physical abuse against TechCrunch founder, Michael Arrington are snowballing. Reports suggest the businessman beat his girlfriend and raped another woman, claims that were amplified when colleagues and tech heavyweights confirmed Arrington has abusive tendencies.

Allegations emerged last week when the CEO and founder of start-up RTist.com, Jenn Allen (Arrington’s ex-grilfriend) claimed that Arrington had physically abused her and had threatened to murder her. The dirty laundery was aired on Allen’s Facebook page, of which there are more than 4 500 followers. Allen also claimed that Arrington raped a friend of her’s.

In a shocking twist, Arrington’s friend, tech blogger Loren Feldman came forward, calling the allegations the “worst kept rumour in the valley for years.” Feldman also claims to know of other women that Arrington has abused in the past.

Duncan Riley, former TechCrunch writer and Inquitr founder said he had never personally seen Arrington physically harm anyone, but that he:

regularly used his height and stature to psychically intermediate others (standing over them, waving his arms around etc), and screaming and temper tantrums was a typical day in the TechCrunch office.

But it seems not everyone is backing the allegations. This statement was posted by Patrick Gallagher, who a university friend and former colleague of Arrington’s:

It’s been difficult reading the horrible, unsubstantiated things written about Michael Arrington over the last week. I’ve known Mike since 1989. We went to college together, have worked together, have lived together and I have met just about every woman he has ever dated. I have never seen him physically threaten or harm anyone, woman or man and can’t imagine him doing so. I also worked at RealNames where I was interviewed as part of an internal investigation about a sexual harassment claim from another employee that was obsessed with Mike where he was completely exonerated of any wrongdoing. The investigation actually showed that she had threatened Mike and his girlfriend at the time.

And this form Gabe Revera, Techmeme founder:

Same here. Never seen physical threats or harm. Known him since 2005, seen him at various events since then, and even rented a room at his home in 2006.

Of course Arrington denied the allegations, stating:

There have been some extremely serious and criminal allegations against me over the last week. All of the allegations are completely untrue, and I’ve hired a law firm to represent me in the legal actions against the offending parties.

I know this isn’t, for now, much information. I will have a full and complete response to these allegations sometime later this week. My goal will be to direct as much sunlight as possible on the issues so that the absolute truth can be known and I can begin to put my life back together.

I’ve also asked my attorneys to contact appropriate law enforcement agencies about these false allegations. Given the gravity of the claims, I think it’s important that the police be involved in this now.

Only time will tell.

[Source: Memeburn]