TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington has responded to the allegations of battery and rape lobbed at him on social media and blogs last week, calling the claims “completely untrue” and confirming that he will take legal action against the accusers, including getting the police involved.
“There have been some extremely serious and criminal allegations against me over the last week. All of the allegations are completely untrue, and I’ve hired a law firm to represent me in the legal actions against the offending parties.
I know this isn’t, for now, much information. I will have a full and complete response to these allegations sometime later this week. My goal will be to direct as much sunlight as possible on the issues so that the absolute truth can be known and I can begin to put my life back together.
I’ve also asked my attorneys to contact appropriate law enforcement agencies about these false allegations. Given the gravity of the claims, I think it’s important that the police be involved in this now.”
Crunchfund Partner Pat Gallagher and Techmeme’s Gabe Rivera also gave brief statements around the time of the post’s publication, attesting to Arrington’s character; “I’ve known Mike since 1989,” wrote Gallagher on Facebook, “We went to college together, have worked together, have lived together and I have met just about every woman he has ever dated. I have never seen him physically threaten or harm anyone, woman or man, and can’t imagine him doing so.”
“I’ve never seen physical threats or harm,” said Rivera, “Known him since 2005, seen him at various events since then, and even rented a room at his home in 2006.”
Update:
Former TechCrunch CEO Heather Harde has now come out on Arrington’s behalf, “As any startup, we worked long hours, and I overlapped significant blocks of time with Michael’s roommates, friends and girlfriends. I would have detected patterns of abusive physical behavior if they had been present.” Former friend Dave Winer has also issued a similar statement.
Jenn Allen, who made the first public claim last Thursday, has also responded; “Everything I said and posted is truth and true,” she tweeted.