The logo for the Daily Beast's Obsessed website. It reads: 'Obsessed: What to Watch, Binge, See, & Skip'
DAILY BEAST
Membership call to action crossword iconCrosswordNewsletters
  • Deals Week
  • Cheat Sheet
  • Obsessed
  • Politics
  • Israel-Gaza
  • Entertainment
  • Media
  • Opinion
  • U.S. News
  • Scouted
CHEAT SHEET
    POLITICS
    • Biden World
    • Elections
    • Opinion
    • National Security
    • Congress
    • Pay Dirt
    • The New Abnormal
    • Trumpland
    MEDIA
    • Confider
    • Daytime Talk
    • Late-Night
    • Fox News
    U.S. NEWS
    • Identities
    • Crime
    • Race
    • LGBT
    • Extremism
    • Coronavirus
    WORLD
    • Russia
    • Europe
    • China
    • Middle East
    INNOVATION
    • Science
    TRAVEL
      ENTERTAINMENT
      • TV
      • Movies
      • Music
      • Comedy
      • Sports
      • Sex
      • TDB's Obsessed
      • Awards Shows
      • The Last Laugh
      CULTURE
      • Power Trip
      • Fashion
      • Books
      • Royalist
      TECH
      • Disinformation
      SCOUTED
      • Sales
      • Reviews
      • New Kids on the Block
      • Beauty
      • Fitness
      • Home
      • Technology
      • Travel
      COUPONS
      • Vistaprint Coupons
      • Ulta Coupons
      • Office Depot Coupons
      • Adidas Promo Codes
      • Walmart Promo Codes
      • H&M Coupons
      • Spanx Promo Codes
      • StubHub Promo Codes
      Products
      NewslettersPodcastsCrosswordsSubscription
      FOLLOW US
      GOT A TIP?

      SEARCH

      HOMEPAGE
      U.S. Newsvertical orientation badge

      Fired Stanford Prof Blames ‘Hispanic Heritage’ for Alleged Sex Misconduct

      SORRY

      ‘It is my responsibility to change and be both mindful and respectful of the boundaries of personal space—and I pledge to do just that.’

      Olivia Messer

      Olivia Messer

      Updated Jun. 07, 2019 10:41AM EDT / Published Jun. 07, 2019 10:38AM EDT 

      REUTERS/Stephen Lam

      A 30-year veteran professor of Stanford University’s School of Medicine—who was fired after an investigation into his alleged sexual misconduct—apologized this week in a letter that attributed his behavior to cultural differences between his native Colombia and “evolving” social norms in the U.S.

      Jose Montoya was fired May 30 for what the school called “multiple violations of the university’s conduct policies,” and it was first reported this week by The Stanford Daily.

      According to an anonymous statement to the newspaper by “a group of individuals affected by his conduct,” a “large group of women” who worked under Montoya came forward in March with “extensive allegations of sexual misconduct, assault, and harassment.”

      “The allegations included multiple instances of Dr. Montoya attempting unsolicited sexual acts with his female employees, among many other instances of harassment and misconduct, and were confirmed in an investigation,” said the statement.

      Stanford claims that after it received the complaints, the school “promptly initiated an investigation led by an outside attorney and Stanford faculty member,” which verified the violations, a spokesperson said this week.

      In his apology letter, Montoya wrote that “what has unfolded since March has been a huge surprise and devastating to me and my family.”

      The prominent researcher, who studies chronic fatigue syndrome and the disease toxoplasmosis, said he was surprised to learn that members of his team “experienced some of my behaviors as attempts at unsolicited sexual acts, harassment, and misconduct.”

      “It is extremely important that you know I have not been involved in any sexual or romantic relationships with employees, trainees, colleagues, or CFS team members,” he added. “I have mentored, supported, and facilitated the professional growth of both female and male team members in numerous other Stanford communities and the Toxoplasmosis laboratory for almost three decades. I have done this with respect, professionalism, and the affection proper of my Hispanic heritage—without any other expectation than that of an advisor who is proud to see their mentees advance and succeed.”

      “The social norms in the U.S. are evolving and quite different than those from my culture and homeland,” Montoya continued. “I did not sufficiently appreciate that difference. It is my responsibility to change and be both mindful and respectful of the boundaries of personal space—and I pledge to do just that.”

      “To my ME/CFS patients and their family members, mentees, colleagues, and friends, I’m sorry I have let you down,” he added.

        Olivia Messer

        Olivia Messer

        @OliviaMesser

        Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.

        READ THIS LIST

        DAILY BEAST
        • Cheat Sheet
        • Politics
        • Entertainment
        • Media
        • World
        • Innovation
        • U.S. News
        • Scouted
        • Travel
        • Subscription
        • Crossword
        • Newsletters
        • Podcasts
        • About
        • Contact
        • Tips
        • Jobs
        • Advertise
        • Help
        • Privacy
        • Code of Ethics & Standards
        • Diversity
        • Terms & Conditions
        • Copyright & Trademark
        • Sitemap
        • Coupons
        • Coupons:
        • Dick's Sporting Goods Coupons
        • HP Coupon Codes
        • Chewy Promo Codes
        • Nordstrom Rack Coupons
        • NordVPN Coupons
        • JCPenny Coupons
        • Nordstrom Coupons
        • Samsung Promo Coupons
        • Home Depot Coupons
        • Hotwire Promo Codes
        • eBay Coupons
        • Ashley Furniture Promo Codes
        © 2023 The Daily Beast Company LLC