Matt Mondanile responds to allegations of sexual assault: “I’ve been an insensitive creep”
In a statement through his lawyers, the Ducktails artist and former Real Estate guitarist said his former bandmates violated “leaving agreement” signed in 2016.
Matt Mondanile has issued a statement in response to allegations that he has sexually assaulted a number of women over the past decade, as originally reported by SPIN and Pitchfork. On Friday 13 October, Real Estate revealed that they had fired Mondanile from the group in 2016 because of "allegations of unacceptable treatment of women.” In a subsequent SPIN report, published this week, seven women came forward to share their stories of Mondanile's abusive behavior, which included groping them without their consent.
In a statement provided to Pitchfork through his lawyers on Friday, Mondanile issued an apology for "inappropriate behavior" and wrote that he had taken advantage of his "position as a musician." In the statement, Mondanile makes no mention of the accounts of sexual assault provided by the seven women. "I’ve been an insensitive creep and again I apologize to everyone and anyone who was affected by this," he wrote. "I respect and commend the women who have come forward."
At the end of the statement, Mondanile's lawyers note that Mondanile and Real Estate signed a “leaving agreement” in February 2016 that forbids either party "from making any negative or derogatory statements about the other, or that may negatively affect the other’s reputation and career." In releasing their statement, Mondanile's attorneys wrote, the band violated this agreement.
As The Guardian reports, Ducktails's U.S. tour has been cancelled. Mondanile's Japanese dates have also been cancelled.
Representatives for Matt Mondanile and Real Estate were not immediately available for comment.
Read the full statement below via Pitchfork.
Recently, there have been allegations and articles circulating regarding Musician Matthew Mondanile’s past conduct toward women. This statement, issued through his attorneys, is intended as a general response to what has been written.
First and foremost, Matt would like to apologize: “I am endlessly sorry for my inappropriate behavior. I took advantage of my position as a musician, though I never intended to hurt anyone emotionally or otherwise. I’ve been an insensitive creep and again I apologize to everyone and anyone who was affected by this. I respect and commend the women who have come forward. Their breaking silence has compelled me to seek a more intense course of self-reflection, and personal development. I make no excuses for my behavior, I only want everyone to be ok. Words cannot convey how truly sorry I am.”
Despite Matt’s attorneys’ legal analysis of the allegations, Matt has insisted that nothing be said that blames or casts aspersions upon his accusers. Much of what has been written and talked about is false and defamatory. Nonetheless, Matthew accepts responsibility for his less than exemplary behavior. Matt realizes that in his eagerness for physical contact and gratification, he has been far from sensitive in his pursuit of women. However, Matt’s attorneys insist that it should be known that for each of the instances described in the media and online, there are two sides to these stories.
Regarding Real Estate, the band required Matt to sign a “leaving agreement” in February 2016 that prohibits both him and the band members from making any negative or derogatory statements about the other, or that may negatively affect the other’s reputation and career. In violating the terms of the agreement, Real Estate band members were not “protecting the victims,” they were instead protecting themselves by sidestepping the controversy to protect the band's commercial viability.