Breaking News: Exclusive Interview with Prof. Christa Laser on Her #metoolaw Sexual Harassment Allegations

Strangers on the Internet

On this Breaking News episode, Irina interviews patent law scholar Prof. Christa Laser about her sexual harassment allegations against just-departed George Mason University antitrust law professor and former FTC Commissioner Joshua Wright. In a tweet (accompanied by a screenshotted email) viewed by hundreds of thousands of people, Christa described how Josh asked her out on a date while GMU hiring chair when he knew that she was desperate to remain in the DC area to maintain custody of her two children. Christa's tweet prompted multiple former students and employees of Josh's to come out publicly with allegations of his having (successfully) pressured them into inappropriate sexual relationships when he held their careers in his hands. Christa and Irina discuss the possible professional repercussions against female "troublemakers" who call out rule- and law-breaking at their institutions. They analyze how and why legal academia breeds predatory and discriminatory behavior, how allies can help, and what reform might look like in light of this #metoo moment.

SOTI ep. 40 with Prof. Brandy Wagstaff narrating her own and her students' allegations against Joshua Wright

Christa's original tweet making allegations against Joshua Wright

Christa's tweet of GMU's response to the allegations by her and several other women

Daily Mail article about the allegations against Joshua Wright

Global Competition Review article about GMU's reaction to the allegations

Note: According to a statement printed in the media by Lindsay McKasson, counsel to Joshua Wright at Binall Law Group "all allegations of sexual misconduct are false," "These false allegations are being made public after unsuccessfully demanding millions of dollars behind closed doors," and "We look forward to total vindication in court." According to a tweet by Christa, "I don't appreciate that his attorney falsely suggests we are all lying (1/2 was in writing!) & want $ (this is a lie–I only want him gone)."

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.