In a story that broke last week from The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is under investigation amid allegations of sexual misconduct with a female employee. The investigation, which began in December, is being run by Grace Speights, who leads the labor and employment practice at Morgan Lewis.
Eric Bernthal, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Humane Society of the United States, released this statement following the news:
“The Board of Directors of the Humane Society of the United States retained Morgan Lewis in December to conduct an investigation of allegations of workplace misconduct against our CEO, Wayne Pacelle. A special committee of the board is overseeing the investigation and reviewing its findings.
We do not have information that can be shared regarding the investigation, its findings, or board actions at this time. We believe it is important to deal in substance and not rumors, and our process is designed to ensure confidentiality and fair consideration of these issues.”
Apparently Pacelle isn’t the first in the animal rights group to be called out. There have also been sexual allegations against HSUS former Vice-President of Policy Engagement, Paul Shapiro, who quietly left the organization earlier this month after working there for 13 years.
