Mercedes Colwin, a prominent female attorney and managing partner at the major American law firm Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, ignited a firestorm of controversy following her appearance on Fox News’ Hannity. During the show, Colwin, serving as a legal analyst, made alarming statements suggesting that women frequently fabricate sexual harassment claims for financial gain and political motives. She went as far as to claim that actual victims of sexual predators are “few and far between,” a remark that has drawn widespread condemnation and raised serious questions about her perspective on sexual harassment and victim credibility.
Colwin’s contentious comments emerged during a segment discussing the serious allegations against Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who was accused of sexual misconduct involving a 14-year-old girl. While host Sean Hannity advocated for a presumption of innocence for Moore, Mercedes Colwin, drawing upon her experience as an employment lawyer representing corporate executives accused of sexual misconduct, asserted that women often lie about harassment for monetary or political reasons.
In a key exchange during the Hannity broadcast, the dialogue unfolded as follows:
Hannity: Do people do it for money? Do they do it for political reasons? Is that more common than people think?
Colwin: Oh definitely.
Hannity: They will lie to make money?
Colwin: Undoubtedly. I mean, there are individuals who will come forward with these outrageous allegations, and they fall…
Hannity: And that hurts women who are victims.
Colwin: Yes. I used to work in sex crimes in the DA’s office. It was very pitiful to see that. Because some jurors don’t believe it because they have, in their own lives, there are people who have made these accusations for money. You see this time and time and time again. And sexual harassment, that term is coined everywhere, frankly, the laws are very clear about what it takes to have some sort of violation of the law. You have to have some sort of damage. And these individuals, a lot of these women, it’s all about money, and they bank on the fact that these corporations have the reputation that they want to save.
Hannity: And the hard—this is where you thread the needle, because there are women who are victims of predators.
Colwin: Yes, there are. There are. But very few and far between.
This exchange immediately sparked backlash, particularly given its timing amidst national conversations about sexual harassment and assault. Critics pointed out the irrelevance of Colwin’s generalization to the Roy Moore case, as Moore’s accusers were not seeking financial compensation and only came forward when approached by journalists. The statement was perceived as deeply insensitive and damaging to genuine victims of sexual harassment.
Adding to the controversy, Mercedes Colwin’s position as a managing partner in the New York office of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, a major national law firm, amplified the impact of her words. With hundreds of lawyers across numerous offices, the firm’s prominence meant Colwin’s views carried significant weight. Her comments were seen as sending a chilling message, potentially discouraging women, especially within the legal profession and other corporate environments, from reporting harassment for fear of not being believed or being labeled as opportunistic liars.
This was not the first instance of Mercedes Colwin expressing skepticism towards sexual harassment claims. When former Fox & Friends host Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit against Roger Ailes, the then-CEO of Fox News, alleging sexual harassment, Colwin publicly voiced her disbelief. She stated to The Hollywood Reporter that she was “furious” about Carlson’s claims and that Carlson’s public demeanor never suggested she would make such allegations. This past skepticism further cemented concerns about Colwin’s general attitude towards sexual harassment accusations.
In response to the outcry following her Hannity appearance, Colwin issued a clarification via email. While stating her “profound sympathy” for harassment victims and acknowledging her personal experience with such issues, including a deceased sister who was a victim of domestic violence, she did not retract her “few and far between” remark. Instead, she reiterated her stance that “in some cases, incidents of alleged sexual harassment can be misrepresented or even fabricated” and emphasized the “presumption of innocence” for the accused.
Her clarification, while attempting to soften the initial impact, largely stood by her original assertions, failing to fully address the concerns raised by her initial comments. The law firm, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, did not publicly respond to requests for comment regarding Mercedes Colwin’s controversial statements, leaving unanswered questions about the firm’s stance on sexual harassment and the implications of their managing partner’s widely publicized views.
Mercedes Colwin’s remarks on Hannity serve as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges faced by victims of sexual harassment. Her statements risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes and undermining the credibility of those who come forward, particularly within professional settings where power dynamics can further complicate reporting and seeking justice. The controversy surrounding Mercedes Colwin highlights the ongoing need for education, awareness, and a commitment to fostering environments where victims are believed and supported, and where claims of sexual harassment are taken seriously.
