A former sales manager at TraxNYC has taken her fight to federal court, accusing the shop’s founder, Maksud Agadjani, of years of racist harassment, threats and retaliation that she says wrecked both her career and her mental health. The complaint, filed in Manhattan federal court, names both TraxNYC and Agadjani. The plaintiff, 27‑year‑old Melisa Kulla, alleges the conduct left her in a deep depression and struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Federal Filing Shows the Case Is Now Before a Judge
Court records show Kulla v. TraxNYC Corp. et al was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on June 23, 2026, and is classified as a job‑discrimination case under federal law. The matter is listed under docket number 1:26‑cv‑05294, according to PACERMonitor.
What the Lawsuit Claims Happened
According to the New York Post, which reviewed the court papers, Kulla says the trouble began in September 2024, when Agadjani allegedly tried to rekindle a relationship and “cornered her for a kiss” in his office. From there, the suit claims, he sent a barrage of vulgar and threatening text messages, used racist slurs, and leaned on his sizable online audience to freeze her out of the industry.
The complaint alleges that Agadjani hurled racial epithets at Kulla, including calling her a "stupid monkey brained b-h" and an "Albanian monkey." Kulla says she responded by filing a police report and securing an order of protection, but that the alleged campaign of harassment left her suicidal and clinically depressed.
Who Agadjani Is and How TraxNYC Built Its Brand
Maksud Agadjani is the founder and public face of TraxNYC, a Diamond District jeweler whose website showcases celebrity clientele and an active showroom on West 47th Street. TraxNYC’s own About page describes the company’s reach and inventory, and IMDb lists Agadjani as playing the character Yussi in the film Uncut Gems. The business has expanded in recent years, fueled by a large social‑media following and a steady stream of viral videos.
Legal Stakes and What Comes Next
The complaint, as summarized in media reports and reflected on the public docket, includes claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination under federal employment law. Because the case was only filed this month, any formal response from Agadjani or TraxNYC has not yet appeared on the docket. Future filings are expected to show up through the court’s ECF and PACER systems.
For now, the case sits at the pleading stage, which generally involves initial motions, responses and scheduling before the parties enter discovery, although timelines can vary significantly from case to case.
Why This Fight Reaches Beyond One Jewelry Counter
The lawsuit lands at a moment when TraxNYC is already one of the Diamond District’s most visible players, thanks in large part to public stunts and online theatrics. As The New York Times reported earlier this year, Agadjani’s taste for viral feuds has been central to the company’s rise in profile. Now, the same social‑media strategy is under a much harsher spotlight in federal court.
The coming weeks will show whether the allegations push the parties toward a quick settlement or set the stage for a longer, more contentious legal battle.
