The FBI is investigating sexual misconduct allegations against Lincoln Project co-founder John Weaver, according reporter Yashar Ali, who spoke with to two sources who were allegedly contacted by FBI agents.
In recent weeks, the political world has been rocked by allegations that Weaver, a longtime political consultant, sexually harassed dozens of young men as young as 14-years-old while employed at the Never-Trump outfit.
Last week was a very bad week for the Lincoln Project, but this week has been even worse, with employees, interns and associates jumping ship to save themselves before it sinks.
Specific accusations have reportedly been known to Project Lincoln since last summer, but rumors about Weaver’s alleged predatory behavior have been simmering for decades.
According to Ali’s sources, “the agents inquired whether Weaver ever touched them inappropriately or sent or requested sexually explicit material when they were underage.”
Staffers and interns at the Lincoln Project are now demanding that they be released from their non-disclosure agreements.
“Tonight, in light of recent events, news reports and statements from the Lincoln Project, we call on the remaining leadership of the Lincoln Project to release us all and all others from all Non-Disclosure Agreements (or other contracts), without precondition, regarding (a) harassment perpetuated by John Weaver that we have experienced or witnessed (b) knowledge of harassment of others by John Weaver (c) any other information specific to the John Weaver situation that would aid the press, public and our donors in questions relevant to the public interest, and to the interests of the Lincoln Project’s many loyal fans and small donors,” the former employees wrote in the letter.
To make matters worse, less than two weeks after the reputation-destroying story hit the news, someone at the Lincoln Project thought it would be a good idea to post a former colleague’s private Twitter DMs onto the public forum.
1. Lincoln Project tweeted out a thread that appeared to contain screenshots from their former partner @NHJennifer's account
Unclear how they got access to them
These exchanges were with journalist @AmandaBecker
They have deleted the thread but here are screenshots
(Cont) pic.twitter.com/ddkbtFNlVg
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 12, 2021
Ali asked Twitter if this might be a violation of its “hacked materials” policy, and—not surprisingly— was told that no, it does not violate the platform’s rules.
NEWS
Twitter spox tells me that the Lincoln Project tweet thread containing DM's from @NHJennifer's account (which she says were obtained without consent) do NOT violate Twitter rules
I'm also told by Twitter that the tweets are NOT a violation of their hacked materials policy https://t.co/667wnn4TaM
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 12, 2021
It remains unclear how the Lincoln Project obtained Horn’s password, but as Ace of Spades points out, it is “extremely unlikely” that she would have given them her password, as she left the Never-Trump outfit on bad terms.
In a statement sent to The New York Times and other publications that ran the story last month, Weaver said: “I am so disheartened and sad that I may have brought discomfort to anyone in what I thought at the time were mutually consensual discussions. In living a deeply closeted life, I allowed my pain to cause pain for others. For that I am truly sorry to these men and everyone and for letting so many people down.”
Critics, however, accuse the Lincoln Project of being complicit in the misconduct as Weaver’s they were tipped off about perverted predilections last summer and rumors about him have swirled since the 1980s.
Wow who made this ? pic.twitter.com/8gFXozIYWQ
— Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) February 12, 2021