Accuser rips probe that cleared Globe editor
A former Boston Globe employee who accused the newspaper’s top editor of sending her inappropriate text messages is criticizing an investigation that found he didn’t violate the company’s antiharassment policy.
“I am incredibly disappointed by The Boston Globe’s decision to ‘clear’ Brian McGrory,” said former Boston.com writer and editor Hilary Sargent.
“I spent more than seven hours with the investigator over the course of two meetings, during which I identified how McGrory has acted inappropriately by text, email and in person,” she said.
Sargent posted a screenshot two months ago of a text message in which she says McGrory wrote, “What do you generally wear when you write?”
Globe officials said Thursday investigators hired by the newspaper found there were exchanges of a personal nature between the two but they were initiated and reciprocated by both of them and did not violate the anti-harassment policy.
McGrory has denied harassing Sargent.
“The investigator found that Mr. McGrory did not violate our anti-harassment policy,” Globe spokeswoman Jane Bowman told the Herald.
Sargent accused the Globe of seeking to protect McGrory and punish her for speaking out. She said “the Globe’s journalists and readers deserve better and to know the truth.”
Sargent’s attorney, Jack Siegal, said the investigation was anything but independent.
“The Globe at all times controlled the investigation and arrived at the conclusion it wanted — no surprise,” Siegal said.