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Prison Reformer Resigns After Daily Beast Story

Former Defy Ventures CEO Catherine Hoke was accused by former employees of sexual harassment.

Catherine Hoke resigned from her company Defy Ventures on Wednesday, citing a Daily Beast article in which former employees accused her of sexual harassment and misleading business claims. Defy Ventures teaches business skills to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, and encourages them to start their own businesses. In a statement, Hoke admitted to making statements about "no corporate fucking" and to attempting "match-making" between the company's employees and people outside the company. Hoke denied allegations that she had sexually harassed employees and clients, and that Defy used misleading statistics when advertising its success rates. Hoke said she plans to remain with the company in an advisory role.