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Matt Mondanile Responds to Sexual Misconduct Allegations

In a statement via his lawyers, the former Real Estate and Ducktails musician apologizes for being "an insensitive creep" and acknowledges "there are two sides to every story."
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Former Real Estate guitarist Matt Mondanile has issued a response to sexual misconduct allegations from seven women detailed in a SPIN report published earlier this week. News broke last Friday that Mondanile, who also performs under the solo project Ducktails, had been dismissed from Real Estate last year over allegations of "unacceptable treatment of women." Mondanile responded with a blanket denial of such behavior in a statement to Pitchfork.

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On Monday, SPIN published a report detailing accounts from seven women accusing the musician of behaviors including forcibly kissing and groping them while they were asleep. Today, in statement to Pitchfork via Mondanile's lawyers, the guitarist has responded acknowledging his "inappropriate behavior" and apologizing for his actions. While Mondanile did not address any of the specific allegations, the statement acknowledges that he took advantage of his position as a musician and "accepts responsibility for his less than exemplary behavior."

The statement also goes on to note that, "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," and that "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."

Read the full statement via Pitchfork below:

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.

Have you witnessed or experienced sexual misconduct in the music industry? We want to hear from you. Contact Andrea Domanick confidentially via e-mail. PGP: bit.ly/2tZT0WT .

Tagged:Matt MondanileReal EstateDucktailssexual harassmentsexual misconductsexual assaultMusicNoisey
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