Investigation of MrBeast’s Company Finds No Evidence of Sexual Misconduct

[Artaxerxes II]

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/02/arts ... ation.html

An independent law firm led the investigation after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against Ava Tyson, a collaborator with the YouTube star MrBeast.

A law firm that investigated accusations of sexual misconduct and grooming within the organization of the YouTube star MrBeast said on Friday that it found no evidence to support those claims.
The investigation came after allegations surfaced against Ava Tyson, a frequent collaborator with MrBeast, whose name is Jimmy Donaldson. Public accusations were made that Ms. Tyson had used inappropriate language and had engaged in grooming behavior with a minor.
The law firm, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, which was hired by Mr. Donaldson’s company, said in its report that over three months it had conducted 39 interviews of current and former employees and reviewed more than four million documents collected from phones, emails and other messaging platforms.
“Allegations of sexual misconduct (e.g., pedophilia, grooming, child pornography, etc.) between company employees and minors are without basis,” the report said. “The allegations were soundly rejected, including by alleged victims.”
Online accusations began this year after social media users scrutinized interactions between Ms. Tyson and the minor, who goes by the online handle LavaGS, when Ms. Tyson was 20 and he was 13. At the time, both Ms. Tyson and LavaGS denied any predatory behavior.
In July, as public outcry grew, Ms. Tyson denied any wrongdoing but apologized for any “past behavior or comments if it hurt or offended anyone,” and said that she would step away from MrBeast’s company and social media.
The next day, Mr. Donaldson, whose YouTube channel has 326 million subscribers, and who has turned the venture into a marketing juggernaut, announced that he would part ways with Ms. Tyson.
In a post on X, he also said that he had hired an independent investigator.
“I’ve seen enough online and taken immediate action to remove Ava from the company, my channel, and any association with MrBeast,” he wrote on social media. “I do not condone or support any of the inappropriate actions.”
On Friday, LavaGS responded to the law firm’s findings, writing on social media that he had been interviewed.
“I was not groomed, these were false allegations made up by other people with my name thrown in them,” he wrote on X. “This investigation was conducted by real investigators and not internet detectives. They reviewed everything.”
The findings came during a tumultuous year for Mr. Donaldson’s channel, which is known for elaborate stunts, including real-life “Squid Game” re-creations and huge cash giveaways. This summer, an older video circulated online of Mr. Donaldson making comments about buying Black people.
A representative said at the time that “after making some bad jokes and other mistakes when he was younger, as an adult he has focused on engaging with the MrBeast community to work together on making a positive impact around the world.”
And in September, a group of contestants who had taken part in a competitive series put on by Mr. Donaldson called “Beast Games” filed a lawsuit that accused the production companies behind the show of exposing them to dangerous conditions. The contestants claimed, in part, that they had not received adequate food or medical care, and that they had not been appropriately compensated.
Although the law firm’s report did not find evidence of sexual misconduct, it did identify several unspecified “isolated instances of workplace harassment and misconduct.” It said the company quickly worked to remedy those concerns.
“The company has already implemented or is in the process of implementing changes to ensure a safe and professional corporate culture today and moving forward,” the report said.