Stories of alleged sexual misconduct have dominated recent headlines. Allegations of sexual assault raised against Supreme Court Brett Kavanagh have been the lead story all week, and there has also been extensive coverage of the criminal sentencing of Bill Cosby for sexual assault. These stories arise as part of a broader series of revelations of sexual misconduct involving media figures, politicians, and corporate executives.
In the midst of this depressing litany one of the most disturbing sets of disclosures has been the revelations of the sexual misconduct involving former Michigan State University and U.S. Olympic gymnastics team physician Larry Nassar. Allegations relating to Nassar are back in the news again because of a new lawsuit a former MSU athlete has filed. The plaintiff’s allegations raise a number of issues. As discussed below, the new complaint contains extensive allegations against MSU’s Board of Trustees, underscoring how the allegations raised in the current wave of sexual misconduct allegations can lead to claims against organization’s directors and officers.
Continue Reading Plaintiff’s Sexual Assault Complaint Asserts Claims Against Michigan State’s Board of Trustees
As I have noted in recent posts, the #MeToo movement has led to a number of D&O lawsuits as the accountability process has led not only to claims against the wrongdoers but also against the wrongdoers’ company and other company executives for turning a blind eye or failing to disclose the problems. On August 30, 2018, in the latest of these D&O claims arising out of revelations of sexual misconduct, investors filed a securities class action lawsuit against Papa John’s International, following news reports of sexual harassment at the company involving the company’s founder and former CEO and Chairman, John H. Schantter, as well as other executives at the company.
As I have noted in 
In a May 16, 2018 press release (
The fallout from the current wave of revelations sexual misconduct involving media figures, politicians, and corporate executives has included, among other things, a rash of D&O claims – including, for example, claims against the boards of 
Amidst the fallout following the latest high-profile set of revelations of sexual misconduct at the highest levels of business, the media, and politics, Steve Wynn has 
At the start of the New Year, it has been interesting finding out more about the massive tax legislation that Congress enacted in December. It has been interesting to see the various impacts that the legislation is having on a variety of companies. It has also been interesting to learn more of the details about what Congress actually enacted. For example, here’s a detail about the tax bill that I didn’t previously know about – apparently the tax legislation includes a provision specifying that employers can no longer include as a deduction on their tax returns amounts the employers pay in settlement and defense of sexual misconduct claims, if the settlement is subject to a nondisclosure agreement.
The news headlines have been dominated in recent days by appalling revelations that leading politicians, entertainers, political candidates and others have engaged in sexual harassment, assault, and even worse behavior. As these stories have emerged, a dynamic has evolved in which the victims come forward with their stories and seek to hold the wrongdoers accountable for their misconduct. Now, a blockbuster settlement entered on Monday suggests that this dynamic may not be limited just to attempting to hold individuals to account but may also involve efforts to hold the wrongdoers’ companies’ executives accountable for allowing the misconduct or for turning a blind eye.