Sexual Misconduct and “Me Too” Matters

Whether a claim of sexual misconduct is alleged against a high-profile celebrity, a school or a non-profit, whether it’s a “Me Too” claim against a business executive or a Title IX claim against a university, the challenges and risks of these claims are very serious. Rotenberg Associates has decades of experience guiding clients through these sensitive legal, regulatory, and reputational issues. We have helped clients plan for and work to prevent these type of crises, and counseled others through criminal and independent investigations, litigation, and intense media scrutiny. Our focus is always on helping our clients emerge and recover from these claims in the best way possible.

Representative Sexual Misconduct and “Me Too” Matters Experience

Major national religious movement faces viral social and mainstream media reporting of allegations of systemic sexual abuse across decades in its youth program, resulting in a comprehensive independent investigation of organization’s 70-year teen program, disclosure of a report on the investigation, and the organization’s response to related litigation
Top-ranking executive at publicly-traded Fortune 100 company steps down after previously undisclosed consensual relationship with a colleague is discovered by management
Prominent physician faces accusations of sexual harassment and licensing board suspension
Early childhood center faces civil lawsuits, regulatory investigations and national and local media scrutiny amid accusations of sexual misconduct against preschool teacher
Consultant retained by national athletic organization to assist with investigating claims of sexual abuse of Olympic athletes faces negative media attention in national print and broadcast media, and U.S. Senate hearings
Well-known professional athletes dealing with negative media due to various criminal charges, civil litigation, and league disciplinary proceedings
Orthodox rabbi arrested for soliciting a minor during Superbowl sweep and terminated from education institution
High profile Temple faces accusation that its senior rabbi engaged in sexual misconduct with a teen years ago, leading to expulsion of the rabbi from rabbinic association and termination of his employment by the Temple
Legacy sexual abuse claims against elite K-12 private school concerning former faculty and raising scrutiny of legacy administration responses
High-profile CEO of fortune 100 publicly-traded company involved in internet sex scandal and related extortion effort
Internet provider dealing with arrest of its founder and CEO for soliciting sex from a minor and managing the impact of executive transition on key national business contracts and planned IPO
Prominent state legislative leader resigns position after inappropriate relationship with staffer
Senior Executive facing negative media due to arrest and trial for indecent exposure
State bar association faces media and community scrutiny related to the arrest and conviction of bar association’s incoming President for rape of a minor
Large public university faces high profile federal lawsuit by former student alleging sexual assault by fellow student in violation of Title IX, and related social media and mainstream media campaign against the university
Termination of Athletic Director at a large public university amid accusations of sexual harassment by coaches and others
Catholic Bishop, falsely accused of sexual assault, ultimately exonerated
Various allegations of sexual assault — current and legacy claims — against student mentoring organizations
Negative high profile national and local media concerning private school termination of a teacher accused of sexual assault and subsequent social media campaign by activists
Private elementary school faces accusation of sexual assault of kindergarten student by teacher
Prestigious private boarding school faces media scrutiny, criminal investigation and civil litigation regarding sexual assault of students by former teachers decades ago

Case Study

The senior rabbi of a prominent synagogue is accused of sexual misconduct involving a teenager many years ago. Mandatory reporting of this allegation to state authorities touched off a barrage of local and national media attention and suspension of the rabbi pending both internal and external investigations. Threatened litigation, resignation of board members, aggressive social media activism and the eventual expulsion of the rabbi from the governing national rabbinic body heightened tension within the congregation, which was severely divided over how to resolve the issue. Rotenberg Associates led the crisis management effort on behalf of the synagogue, handling all media relations, congregational communications, and social media strategy and response. Rotenberg Associates counseled the Board of Directors at each delicate step of the process, culminating in the planning and execution of a successful campaign seeking congregational ratification of the Board’s decision to terminate the rabbi’s employment so the healing process could begin at the synagogue.