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MrBeast’s internal investigation found no evidence of grooming, but discovery of ‘boy’s locker room behavior’ leads to firings

MrBeast’s internal investigation found no evidence of grooming, but discovery of ‘boy’s locker room behavior’ leads to firings

MrBeast internal investigation ordered after former employee accused of seduction the minor is over and the YouTube star is sharing the results.

On Friday, MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, 26, released findings sent to him by Alex Spiro of the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, an outside attorney retained by Donaldson to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct in his company.

“A three-month investigation into allegations involving my company has concluded. The office/investigators reviewed millions of documents/messages and conducted 39 interviews.” MrBeast wrote on Xformerly Twitter. “I have been asked to refrain from making public statements to allow for a thorough and impartial investigation. We present their conclusions below.”

MrBeast (center) shared the results of an internal investigation he ordered after his former co-host was accused of grooming a minor. Getty images for MrBeast BurgerMrBeast (center) shared the results of an internal investigation he ordered after his former co-host was accused of grooming a minor. Getty images for MrBeast Burger

MrBeast (center) shared the results of an internal investigation he ordered after his former co-host was accused of grooming a minor. Getty images for MrBeast Burger

In a letter shared by MrBeast on November 1, Spiro addressed not only the allegations that came after former MrBeast co-host Ava Tyson, 28, was accused sending inappropriate messages directed at the then-13-year-old 20-year-old, but also claims by one of Donaldson’s former employees that the YouTube phenomenon They knowingly employed registered sex offenders.

The law firm’s investigation, which was commissioned in late July and cost “millions of dollars,” sources said, turned up no evidence of any of the allegations.

“Allegations of sexual misconduct (e.g. pedophilia, grooming, child pornography, etc.) between Company employees and minors are baseless,” Spiro said in his letter. “The allegations, including those made by alleged victims, have been firmly denied.”

MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, shared the findings of the investigation on Friday, November 1. @MrBeastMrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, shared the findings of the investigation on Friday, November 1. @MrBeast

MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, shared the findings of the investigation on Friday, November 1. @MrBeast

Spiro also wrote that “allegations that the Company knowingly employed individuals with a tendency or history to engage in illegal or questionable legal conduct are also without merit.”

The scope of the internal investigation went beyond the public allegations against MrBeast. A source told The Post that Donaldson and his recently appointed CEO, Jeffrey Housenbold, wanted to investigate all possible misconduct at the company, so they expanded the investigation.

As a result, other cases of less serious misconduct were detected. “The investigation uncovered several isolated incidents of harassment and misconduct in the workplace,” Spiro said. “The company has been made aware of this behavior and has taken prompt and appropriate action to address the incidents, including, as necessary, disciplining or terminating the individuals involved.”

MrBeast attends the YouTube Brandcast at the Imperial Theater on May 17, 2022 in New York City. Getty Images on YoutubeMrBeast attends the YouTube Brandcast at the Imperial Theater on May 17, 2022 in New York City. Getty Images on Youtube

MrBeast attends the YouTube Brandcast at the Imperial Theater on May 17, 2022 in New York City. Getty Images on Youtube

A source told The Post that those laid off included people ranging from senior executives to middle management and individual contributors. “People were fired regardless of position, seniority or length of service,” the source said.

According to the whistleblower, workplace harassment and misconduct uncovered during the investigation included inappropriate sexual jokes in the workplace, repeatedly asking a colleague out on a date despite repeated refusals, and employees dating without informing their managers.

One source described some of the inappropriate behavior as “frat boy locker room behavior” that was “inappropriate” and “cannot be tolerated.” The source stressed that the findings did not include any inappropriate conduct that “bordered on assault or rape.”

MrBeast (center) is known for his crazy, over-the-top YouTube videos. independentMrBeast (center) is known for his crazy, over-the-top YouTube videos. independent

MrBeast (center) is known for his crazy, over-the-top YouTube videos. independent

In Spiro’s letter, the lawyer noted that MrBeast “has grown extremely rapidly from a YouTube startup composed of a group of talented young individuals to a much larger entity” and that “it is not uncommon for the policies and practices necessary for a mature company to be unable to keep up.” commercial success.”

Spiro also wrote: “It is clear that the company is committed to correcting historical issues and creating a mature culture where problematic behavior is not tolerated as we enter this new phase.”

According to the investigation’s final report, MrBeast “has already implemented or is in the process of implementing” changes as a result of its findings.

Mr. Beast. Mr. Beast / InstagramMr. Beast. Mr. Beast / Instagram

Mr. Beast. Mr. Beast / Instagram

These changes included “sending a clear message about the tone at the top”, the appointment of a new CEO, chief human resources officer and general counsel, and a soon-to-be hired chief financial officer, the introduction of “mandatory corporate training for all employees”, “the development of new policies codified in a handbook for employees,” establishing an anonymous hotline for employees to report alleged misconduct within the company, “quickly terminating individuals who violate company policies regardless of their position or level,” and “identifying additional employees for staff training and coaching management, which will be focused on professionalism and compliance with company policy.”

At the beginning of the investigation, Spiro asked former MrBeast employee Dawson French, who goes by DogPack404 on YouTube, to “stop making public allegations against the company as they were the subject of an ongoing investigation.”

French accused MrBeast of running “illegal sweepstakes” in connection with fake online engagements. He also posted a YouTube video of himself interviewing another former MrBeast employee, who alleged that the tycoon knowingly hired a registered sex offender (an allegation that was rejected in the investigation).

An investigation commissioned by MrBeast found no evidence that his company's employees groomed minors. WikipediaAn investigation commissioned by MrBeast found no evidence that his company's employees seduced minors. Wikipedia

An investigation commissioned by MrBeast found no evidence that his company’s employees groomed minors. Wikipedia

Spiro and his colleagues also asked employees not to comment publicly on any of the allegations made against MrBeast and the company “to ensure that the investigation provided accurate information and that witnesses were not tainted.”

The alleged victim at the center of the grooming allegations against Tyson, a person known online as Lava, was among those interviewed and denied the grooming allegations, a source told The Post. Lava has also publicly stated that she does not believe they were groomed.

The allegations against Tyson were initially made by a third party, a YouTuber who goes by the pseudonym Prism42.

“I would like to apologize for any of my past behavior or comments if they have hurt or offended anyone.” Tyson said in a statement published on July 23. “That wasn’t my intention.”

“Seeing recent events, we have collectively decided that it would be best for me to permanently step away from everything related to MrBeast and social media and focus on my family and mental health.”

Former MrBeast co-host Ava Tyson. Krystian/InstagramFormer MrBeast co-host Ava Tyson. Krystian/Instagram

Former MrBeast co-host Ava Tyson. Krystian/Instagram

Tyson, however, denied the grooming allegations made against her. “I want to add that I have never groomed anyone. The person affected by these accusations has loudly confirmed that they are false,” she said, referring to Lava.

Donaldson announced an internal investigation a day after Tyson shared her response.

“Over the past few days, I have become aware of serious allegations regarding Ava Tyson’s online behavior and I am disgusted and opposed to such unacceptable actions,” he said. wrote on X. “At this time, my focus was on hiring an independent third party to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure I had all the facts.

“That said, I have seen enough on the internet and have taken immediate action to remove Ava from the company, my channel and any association with MrBeast,” he added. “I do not tolerate or support any inappropriate actions.

“I will give independent investigators the necessary time to conduct a comprehensive investigation and will take further action based on their findings.”

MrBeast (center) and his team members. Krystian/InstagramMrBeast (center) and his team members. Krystian/Instagram

MrBeast (center) and his team members. Krystian/Instagram

MrBeast announced the initiation of an investigation in July. Mr. Beast, /XMrBeast announced the initiation of an investigation in July. Mr. Beast, /X

MrBeast announced the initiation of an investigation in July. Mr. Beast, /X

Lava replied to MrBeast’s post, writes with X“I commend @MrBeast for taking this situation seriously and hiring an outside investigator while taking appropriate action to sever ties with Ava. While the allegations regarding my name are false, I believe there are still many other allegations that deserve thorough investigation.”

Two days later, after reviewing the Discord server messages that were the basis for the allegations against Tyson, Lava provided an updated statement.

“Based on recent screenshots and news, I would like to make a statement about ‘Discord.’ It was 5 or 6 years ago and I thought I remembered the whole thing correctly, but I was wrong. After reading the chat logs, I found these things to be inappropriate and wrong” – Lava wrote on X.

Lava. Lava/XLava. Lava/X

Lava. Lava/X

Lava responded to MrBeast, announcing an investigation into possible misconduct at the company, and praised him. Lava/XLava responded to MrBeast, announcing an investigation into possible misconduct at the company, and praised him. Lava/X

Lava responded to MrBeast, announcing an investigation into possible misconduct at the company, and praised him. Lava/X

“I was speaking based on my memory of the situation and I still don’t remember those conversations, but they definitely happened. These conversations should not be held with people my age, I strongly condemn them.”

Lava continued: “I still believe I am not a victim of grooming, but these conversations should not have occurred with me or any other minor involved in this disagreement. I was a minor in this situation, not an adult influencer who should not have allowed this to happen. I didn’t see it bad then.”

Lava further noted that this statement only referred to previous comments on the Discord server. “I still stand by it,” they wrote in a follow-up post, citing their initial response to MrBeast’s message regarding the internal investigation.