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Red Cross GC Resigns Over Sexual Harassment Report

By William Vogeler, Esq. on February 06, 2018 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

This sexual harassment case wasn't even three degrees of Harvey Weinstein.

Weinstein harassed half of Hollywood's ingenues, but nobody at the Red Cross. According to reports, however, former Red Cross executive Gerald Anderson sexually harassed workers there.

Now David Metzler, general counsel for the organization, has resigned over the disclosure. It's barely a connection, but close enough in the Weinstein era.

Almost a Weinstein

No one alleges Metzler harassed anybody, but he was responsible for an investigation into Anderson's behavior five years ago. The allegations recently became public, and Metzler decided to come clean.

"Based on the results of the investigation conducted by an outside law firm, I determined that Mr. Anderson could not continue with our organization," Metzler wrote. "I recognize now, however, that the language I used at that time in association with Mr. Anderson's departure was inappropriate given the circumstances."

Celebrities, executives and prominent attorneys are falling in the recent wave of sexual harassment claims. It is largely because of the MeToo movement, which prompted scores of actresses to expose Weinstein, the former Hollywood producer.

Alex Kozinski was the first big name, legal practitioner to go down in the Weinstein era. He retired after former clerks alleged his sexual misconduct at the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Proximate Cause?

When Anderson left the Red Cross, Metzler praised him for his "dedication" and "leadership." Some staffers were upset because Metzler said he wished Anderson would stay on.

Based in part on a positive reference from the Red Cross, Anderson then went on to work as a director for Save the Children. He continued there for years until the Red Cross investigation became public.

ProPublica reported that the Red Cross pushed Anderson out because of sexual harassment. He has denied any sexual misconduct.

Save the Children, however, has announced he is "no longer employed" there.

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