Stanford Professor Fired Over Alleged Sexual Misconduct Says “My Cultural Heritage” Made Me Do It
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Former Stanford Medical School Professor has written a bizarre “apology” after being fired over alleged sexual misconduct at Stanford. It was not “the devil” that made him do it, but cultural heritage, he argues in a written apology to the school and those impacted by his conduct.
In it Dr. Jose Montoya wrote “I sincerely apologize to anyone who, in any way, I offended. What has unfolded since March has been a huge surprise and devastating to me and my family. It was even more shattering to learn, through the June 4 Stanford Daily article, that it was members of my Stanford ME/CFS team who 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. In addition to the ME/CFS team at Stanford, 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. 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.”
Montoya’s response was due to a story in the Stanford Daily Newspaper, which wrote “Jose Montoya, previously a professor at the Stanford University Medical Center, was ‘relieved of all University duties — clinical, research, or otherwise’ on Thursday, May 30, according to an email sent that morning by Stanford Medicine’s Infectious Diseases Division Chief Upinder Singh to all division employees.
“His termination occurred after an investigation, led by an outside attorney and an unnamed Stanford faculty member, found what Singh called ‘multiple violations of the University’s conduct policies.’ The investigation was launched in response to ‘complaints relating to his conduct,’ according to the email. Per University policy, Montoya has the right to appeal this decision.
“Montoya did not immediately respond to request for comment.”
Blaming ones cultural background for behaving inappropriately is nothing new, but in the #MeToo era, do not expect Montoya to gain much traction.
