Earlier this week, multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against ex-Real Estate guitarist Matt Mondanile were detailed in a report by Spin. Now, Mondanile has finally responded to the allegations, which come via at least seven different women.
As Pitchfork reports, Mondanile acknowledged his "inappropriate behaviour" and that he "took advantage of my position as a musician" in a statement issued through his lawyers. "I've been an insensitive creep and again I apologize to everyone and anyone who was affected by this," he wrote. "I make no excuses for my behaviour, I only want everyone to be ok."
The statement continues by saying that "much of what has been written and talked about is false and defamatory," with Mondanile's lawyers insisting that "for each of the instances described in the media and online, there are two sides to these stories."
Mondanile's statement also expands upon his 2016 departure from Real Estate, which came after allegations of sexual misconduct apparently surfaced. Real Estate issued a statement of their own last Friday (October 13), explaining that the reason Mondanile was fired from the band was due to his alleged sexual misconduct. The band also explained to Spin that the information behind his departure was not made public after victims requested privacy.
Mondanile's statement now explains that "the band required Matt to sign a 'leaving agreement' in February 2016 that prohibits both him and the band members from making any negative or derogatory statements about the other, or that may negatively affect the other's reputation and career," adding that "In violating the terms of the agreement, Real Estate band members were not 'protecting the victims,' they were instead protecting themselves by sidestepping the controversy to protect the band's commercial viability."
As previously reported, Mondanile's solo project Ducktails was also recently dropped by Domino. In addition, he had denied the allegations in a phone conversation with Pitchfork.
Read the entire statement from Mondanile's lawyers below:
Recently, there have been allegations and articles circulating regarding Musician Matthew Mondanile's past conduct toward women. This statement, issued through his attorneys, is intended as a general response to what has been written.
First and foremost, Matt would like to apologize: "I am endlessly sorry for my inappropriate behavior. I took advantage of my position as a musician, though I never intended to hurt anyone emotionally or otherwise. I've been an insensitive creep and again I apologize to everyone and anyone who was affected by this. I respect and commend the women who have come forward. Their breaking silence has compelled me to seek a more intense course of self-reflection, and personal development. I make no excuses for my behavior, I only want everyone to be ok. Words cannot convey how truly sorry I am."
Despite Matt's attorneys' legal analysis of the allegations, Matt has insisted that nothing be said that blames or casts aspersions upon his accusers. Much of what has been written and talked about is false and defamatory. Nonetheless, Matthew accepts responsibility for his less than exemplary behavior. Matt realizes that in his eagerness for physical contact and gratification, he has been far from sensitive in his pursuit of women. However, Matt's attorneys insist that it should be known that for each of the instances described in the media and online, there are two sides to these stories.
Regarding Real Estate, the band required Matt to sign a "leaving agreement" in February 2016 that prohibits both him and the band members from making any negative or derogatory statements about the other, or that may negatively affect the other's reputation and career. In violating the terms of the agreement, Real Estate band members were not "protecting the victims," they were instead protecting themselves by sidestepping the controversy to protect the band's commercial viability.
As Pitchfork reports, Mondanile acknowledged his "inappropriate behaviour" and that he "took advantage of my position as a musician" in a statement issued through his lawyers. "I've been an insensitive creep and again I apologize to everyone and anyone who was affected by this," he wrote. "I make no excuses for my behaviour, I only want everyone to be ok."
The statement continues by saying that "much of what has been written and talked about is false and defamatory," with Mondanile's lawyers insisting that "for each of the instances described in the media and online, there are two sides to these stories."
Mondanile's statement also expands upon his 2016 departure from Real Estate, which came after allegations of sexual misconduct apparently surfaced. Real Estate issued a statement of their own last Friday (October 13), explaining that the reason Mondanile was fired from the band was due to his alleged sexual misconduct. The band also explained to Spin that the information behind his departure was not made public after victims requested privacy.
Mondanile's statement now explains that "the band required Matt to sign a 'leaving agreement' in February 2016 that prohibits both him and the band members from making any negative or derogatory statements about the other, or that may negatively affect the other's reputation and career," adding that "In violating the terms of the agreement, Real Estate band members were not 'protecting the victims,' they were instead protecting themselves by sidestepping the controversy to protect the band's commercial viability."
As previously reported, Mondanile's solo project Ducktails was also recently dropped by Domino. In addition, he had denied the allegations in a phone conversation with Pitchfork.
Read the entire statement from Mondanile's lawyers below:
Recently, there have been allegations and articles circulating regarding Musician Matthew Mondanile's past conduct toward women. This statement, issued through his attorneys, is intended as a general response to what has been written.
First and foremost, Matt would like to apologize: "I am endlessly sorry for my inappropriate behavior. I took advantage of my position as a musician, though I never intended to hurt anyone emotionally or otherwise. I've been an insensitive creep and again I apologize to everyone and anyone who was affected by this. I respect and commend the women who have come forward. Their breaking silence has compelled me to seek a more intense course of self-reflection, and personal development. I make no excuses for my behavior, I only want everyone to be ok. Words cannot convey how truly sorry I am."
Despite Matt's attorneys' legal analysis of the allegations, Matt has insisted that nothing be said that blames or casts aspersions upon his accusers. Much of what has been written and talked about is false and defamatory. Nonetheless, Matthew accepts responsibility for his less than exemplary behavior. Matt realizes that in his eagerness for physical contact and gratification, he has been far from sensitive in his pursuit of women. However, Matt's attorneys insist that it should be known that for each of the instances described in the media and online, there are two sides to these stories.
Regarding Real Estate, the band required Matt to sign a "leaving agreement" in February 2016 that prohibits both him and the band members from making any negative or derogatory statements about the other, or that may negatively affect the other's reputation and career. In violating the terms of the agreement, Real Estate band members were not "protecting the victims," they were instead protecting themselves by sidestepping the controversy to protect the band's commercial viability.
