The list of names of seemingly powerful men felled by allegations of sexual harassment grows each day. Miramar’s Harvey Weinstein, The Today Show’s Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose of The Charlie Rose Show, actor Kevin Spacey, et. al. Now you can add Morgan Stanley investment banker and former Tennessee congressman Harold Ford, Jr. to the list. Thursday Morgan Stanley fired Mr. Ford after a woman accused him of harassment and physical assault:
Morgan Stanley has fired one of its managing directors for alleged misconduct after a former business contact complained he subjected her to harassment, intimidation and physical assault.
The Wall Street bank said on Thursday that it had terminated the employment of Harold Ford Jr, a former Democratic congressman who joined six years ago. The sacking was connected to allegations from one woman that Mr Ford forcibly grabbed her one evening several years ago in Manhattan, according to HuffPost, which first reported the story. The woman was not an employee of Morgan Stanley but worked with Mr Ford in a professional capacity.
Michele Davis, a spokesperson from Morgan Stanley, confirmed that Mr. Ford had been terminated for “conduct inconsistent with our values and in violation of our policies.” The allegations must have been serious, and must have been taken seriously by Morgan Stanley to fire such a high-profile member of its company. Ford had achieved the title of Managing Director; he must have brought in a lot of business in order to have earned that title. As a former Congressman he likely brought with him contacts from his home state of Tennessee and from years spent in Washington.
The Situation
The allegations came from a woman who did not work at Morgan Stanley, and who was an apparent business contact of Mr. Ford. Schmoozing, going to dinner, discussing business over drinks is part of being a corporate executive, particularly for those in a business development role. However, if a managing director for Morgan Stanley allows a line to be crossed from the “business” to the “personal” then he or she is begging for trouble. These types of relationships never really end well.
Forcibly grabbing a woman should never happen. If a woman wants you to touch her then she will let you know. Secondly, a woman can also tell if she has been subjected to harassment and intimidation. These types of conclusions are not usually determined from one encounter; they are usually ascertained after repeated encounters and a woman having to repeatedly say “no” or “stop contacting me.” At this juncture, who does not believe Mr. Ford is not capable of harassing or intimidating a woman. He fits the description – powerful and entitled. As an M.D. at Morgan Stanley Mr. Ford had the power to make and unmake careers. His position as congressman was handed to him by his father. His position as M.D. was handed to him, not based on any talent, but based on his contacts built up on Washington which were garnered from the position inherited from his father. Mr. Ford’s entire existence has been handed to him. He probably has rarely heard the word “no.” Does he expect anyone to really believe he backed off after a woman told him “No?”
Harold Ford Jr. Defends Himself
Of course Mr. Ford refused to take these allegations lying down. After all, he has crafted an image of a patrician, southern gentleman:
In regards to news today, This simply did not happen. I have never forcibly grabbed any woman or man in my life.
— Harold Ford, Jr. (@HFord2) December 7, 2017
Having drinks and dinner for work is part of my job, and all of my outreach to the news reporter making these false allegations
— Harold Ford, Jr. (@HFord2) December 7, 2017
was professional and at the direction of my firm for business purposes. I support and have tremendous respect for the brave women now speaking out in this important national dialogue. False claims like this though undermine the real silence breakers.
— Harold Ford, Jr. (@HFord2) December 7, 2017
I will now be bringing legal action against the reporter who made these false claims about me as well as Morgan Stanley for improper termination.
— Harold Ford, Jr. (@HFord2) December 7, 2017
In regards to news today, this simply did not happen. I have never forcibly grabbed any woman or man in my life. Having drinks and dinner at work is part of my job, and all of my outreach to the news reporter make these false allegations was professional and at the direction of my firm for business purposes … I will bring legal action against the reporter who made these false claims … as well as Morgan Stanley for improper termination.
The question remains, “Why Harold Ford Jr.?” Of all the people in New York why did the reporter pick him. Given his background and image of being beyond reproach, why would she go against all odds and finger him. The bottom line is that there should never be any question of improprieties in business. Where there’s smoke there’s fire. Morgan Stanley agrees and that’s likely why they quickly parted ways with Mr. Ford.
On Trump And The Global Economy
The second installment of Trump And The Global Economy Town Hall took place October 24th in Fort Greene. It Featured Professor Lance Brofman, Coconut Rob (Coconut Rob Smoothies), Wuyi Jacobs (AfroBeats Radio) and Ralph Baker, author of Shock Exchange: How Inner-City Kids From Brooklyn Predicted the Great Recession and the Pain Ahead.
The event was well-received by the community. We parsed through President Trump’s proposed tax plan and [i] how it was pure economic folly and [ii] high net worth individuals could potentially game the system by shifting income around. Apparently, Kansas Coach Bill Self did this when the state of Kansas cut taxes in the past. We discussed the pros and cons of technology on workers and the economy. How will the economy and country prosper under Trump’s leadership vis-a-vis Obama? What’s behind the verbal sparring with black athletes, ESPN’s Jemele Hill and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un?
