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Open Letter to Dave Letterman

by | Jan 17, 2021

Dear Dave,

Last week you admitted that you had sex with women on your staff. Many in your audience laughed when you said it. I for one was not laughing. Let’s call it what it really was – sexual favoritism in the workplace and since you suggested that you had sex with more than one woman on your staff some of your employees may believe that sexual favoritism in your workplace is widespread. If this is true, then I believe that your sexual conduct is wrong and potentially in violation of the law even if your sexual relationship with your staffers was consensual and romantic.By the way, we do not know yet if your sexual advances to your subordinates were welcomed by them or unwelcome. Even if no complaints were filed, that does not mean that your sexual conduct was welcome.

Even if it was welcome, what about the impact of your sexual favoritism on other staff members with whom you did not have a sexual relationship?

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C.) Has stated that in circumstances where sexual favoritism is widespread, “a message is implicitly conveyed that the managers view women as sexual playthings thereby creating an atmosphere that is demeaning to women.”

You said “I’m terribly sorry that I put the staff in that position” I’m sorry too Dave. I’m sorry that you didn’t appear to recognize that your conduct was more than “something stupid”. I’m sorry that you do not appear to recognize that it may have been a denial of equal employment opportunity and a denial of the right of women to have a workplace that is not hostile because of sexual harassment. Next time just say “No” to sex on the job Dave. Your wife, your staff and I will appreciate it.

I start every day with the knowledge that helping people and fighting for justice is my duty, and that nothing worthwhile comes without sacrifice, self- discipline, and courage.
Gloria Allred, Fight Back and Win

In the Media

 01.04.25Editorialge – “7 Famous Civil Rights Lawyers Who Made History.” Attorney Gloria Allred is featured in Editorialge's article highlighting seven prominent civil rights attorneys. Renowned for her steadfast advocacy in women's rights and anti-discrimination cases, Ms. Allred has built a distinguished career representing clients in high-profile cases involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, and gender discrimination. Her tireless efforts have brought critical attention to issues of inequality and injustice, cementing her legacy as a trailblazing figure in the fight for civil rights.

01.03.25MSN / Irish Star – “Miss America under fire as woman sues pageant for ‘degrading’ exclusion.” Attorney Gloria Allred is representing a New York woman who has filed a lawsuit against the Miss America and Miss World pageants, challenging their longstanding rules that disqualify mothers from participating. Ms. Allred argues that these rules are discriminatory and outdated, emphasizing that being pregnant or a parent should not exclude someone from such competitions.

01.03.25MSN/ KCRA3 – “Turlock man arrested in connection with juvenile molestation pleads not guilty.” In the case of James Hooker, attorney Gloria Allred played a significant role in representing a victim who came forward during the national attention surrounding Hooker in 2012. The victim alleged that Mr. Hooker had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with her when she was a 17-year-old high school student in 1998, while he was a teacher at Davis High School. Ms. Allred's involvement in the case led to Hooker entering a no-contest plea to a misdemeanor charge of oral copulation. As a result, he was sentenced to four years of probation and required to register as a sex offender for the duration of his probation.