The latest man to fall to sex allegations
Yes, I saw this. He is strenuously denying it. Claims he had a consensual relationship with a colleague years ago.
Sigh.
Which doesn’t line up too well with the “multiple and credible” witnesses and victims that an independent investigation uncovered.
There’s already been a Tavis Smiley thread, although it’s in the BBQ Pit.
http://boards.straightdope.com//sdmb/showthread.php?t=844757
Not much happening in that thread; I’ll leave this open if people want to discuss it here.
— Ellen, la moderatora
I think guys just have to learn that, besides not harassing co-workers, you do not under any circumstances have personal relationships with the women you work with, especially if they are your subordinates. Even if the relationship ends amicably it may come back to bite you in the ass years later.
One the one hand, I’m married to a woman I met at work. She was not my subordinate – in fact, I was hers, although not a direct report. We have two kids now.
On the other had, there was another relationship I had with a woman I met at work (before I met the woman to whom I’m married. She was, at the time the relationship began, a freelancer, not on the payroll at my firm, and who did not report to me, but in the course of our relationship she got a job at my firm that put her under my supervision. I didn’t help her get that job, I didn’t want her to get that job (although I didn’t put any obstacles in her way) and I realized soon enough that that was part of her plan. The relationship ended really, really badly. I mean, retraining order territory. I would have been the one obtaining the order (I really did consider it and, according to the lawyer I spoke to, had good grounds for one). She was insane. A stalker, among other things. And she, when she realized that I wanted to terminate the relationship, threatened to accuse me of sexual harassment unless I continued the relationship.
I really, really worry that in the current climate, she may see an opportunity for revenge, even though this was all ten years or so ago.
The biggest surprise to me was that the accusers are female. I’ve always heard that he’s gay. :dubious:
The article said the accusations came from both men and women. Maybe he’s bi?
What he did or did not do aside for a second (and since the accusations have not been made public we do not know what the allegations are) - part of his response includes that he was not made aware of any investigation concerning him until it was about to be released, actually apparently by way of others telling him that they had been being asked if he had ever done anything that made them uncomfortable. Which was also the apparent approach in the Garrison Keillor case.
Is that the most appropriate course of action?
On the one hand I can see how it would be as it minimizes the chances of a powerful guilty person attempting to squelch victims and witnesses from coming forward.
On the other hand it seems that an accused should be able to at least present their version of events as the investigation occurs and not only after the conclusion of the investigation is reached.
When your last name is Smiley, everything you do should get a pass as, “He was just kiddin’”.
You’re right. The alimony kicked my ass.