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| Former AFA Vice President files suit accusing organization of wrongful termination |
In a startling turn of events, Robert Chambers, the former Vice President of Policy and Legislative Affairs for the American Family Association (AFA) from 2015 to 2022, has filed a lawsuit against the conservative organization. Chambers alleges that he was wrongfully terminated shortly after reporting allegations of sexual harassment and financial irregularities within the AFA.
Chambers' lawsuit points fingers at another AFA staffer, Ron Cook, claiming that Cook subjected him to repeated sexual advances beginning in January 2022. The allegations assert that Cook went so far as to physically grab Chambers' face and ear, in addition to making inappropriate comments regarding masturbation in his presence.
According to the complaint, Chambers quotes Cook as saying, "I see you’re really good with that wrist action. You’d really like me to take you and get a hold of you." Chambers firmly believes that his termination was a direct result of his reporting of these incidents, which he claims constituted sexual harassment, and that this constituted retaliation, a violation of federal law.
However, the AFA vehemently denies these allegations. Steve Crampton, AFA’s Assistant General Counsel, was quoted in a statement, saying, "Since 1977, our ministry has continued to maintain the highest standards of morality and personal conduct for our staff and leadership. The claims made against our organization by a disgruntled former employee are unfounded gross mischaracterizations of the facts. We will use every tool at our disposal to prevail in this matter. Due to current enquiry, we cannot comment further."
This legal battle has now taken center stage in the US District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi. The lawsuit names not only Ron Cook but also AFA President Tim Wildmon, several of Wildmon’s family members who hold positions within AFA, AFA Vice President Ed Vitagliano, and others.
The lawsuit also suggests that AFA President Tim Wildmon was aware of previous complaints against Ron Cook's sexual misconduct. Chambers claims that he was provided with an incident report by Wildmon himself and that it was conveyed to him that he was not the first AFA employee to raise such concerns.
Despite his efforts to report the misconduct, Chambers alleges that no action was taken against Cook, leaving him to endure an increasingly uncomfortable work environment due to Cook's ongoing sexual advances and comments.
As for Ron Cook's current employment status with AFA, it remains unclear, and Cook himself has yet to comment on the allegations.
It's important to note that the American Family Association has a well-known stance as a staunch opponent of gay marriage, LGBTQ rights, and abortion.
In addition to the claims of sexual harassment, Chambers' lawsuit also raises concerns about the AFA's financial practices. He alleges that the organization failed to file financial disclosures promptly and even suggests the possibility of embezzlement of certain funds. These financial concerns add a layer of complexity to the already contentious legal battle.
Robert Chambers' tenure with the American Family Association came to an abrupt end in September 2022 when he was terminated.
