![Vic Mignogna Sexual Harassment Allegations Vic Mignogna and anime characters he has voiced](https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/mobile/000/028/405/2019_Vic-Mignogna_FLORIDA.jpg)
Vic Mignogna Sexual Harassment Allegations
Part of a series on AnimeGate. [View Related Entries]
Overview
Vic Mignogna Sexual Assault Allegations refer to accusations that American voice actor Vic Mignogna, best known for voicing the character Edward Elric from the English dub of the anime series Fullmetal Alchemist, sexually harassed various women.
Background
Talk of Mignogna being creepy and inappropriate have circulated in the convention community since he first started appearing at them since the mid 2000s. On February 8th, 2017, a thread compiling various accusations against Mignogna was created on the site PrettyUglyLittleLiar.[6]
Developments
2019 Twitter Thread
On January 16th, 2019, a Twitter[5] thread was published about Mignogna, which contained various accusations of homophobia, anti-Semitism and unwanted sexual advances. That day, Anime Feminist founder Amelia Cook retweeted the thread, along with the message "How is Vic Mignogna still working in anime?" (shown below). Within three weeks, the tweet garnered upwards of 2,500 likes and 1,800 retweets.
A friend linked me this
โ ๐๐ (@hanleia) January 16, 2019
Cw underage sexual assault pic.twitter.com/W0KkYbSbGj
Mignogna's Response
On January 21st, 2019, Mignogna posted a statement on Twitter[4] denying the accusations, but claiming he would stop physically interacting with fans (shown below). Within two weeks, the post gained over 8,600 likes and 2,000 retweets.
![Vic Mignogna's statement This is heartbreaking. Over the last few days, a number of comments and allegations have been voiced on social media. I'd like to share my thoughts. Homophobic? NO! Some of my dearest friends are members of the LGBTQ community, including several that I brought into my production family on Star Trek Continues. This is a blatantly false statement. I said many years ago that I didn't think a particular character I voiced was gay, contrary to what some fans believed, not because it matters to me AT ALL, but because I was told this was the case. I also elected not to autograph Yaoi, not because I am homophobic but because I didn't wish to sign material that was not canon. Anti-Semitic?? I couldn't even grasp where this was coming from until someone pointed me to a moment years ago where I was in a panel, and referred to a bunch of noise coming from another room jokingly as "a holocaust." As l said then, it was a metaphor for armageddon, death, and mass destruction, but not "THE Holocaust." Could I have chosen a different word? Sure, in retrospect I could have. And, of course, I am sorry that it offended anyone. I sincerely apologize to any convention staff member who ever felt I was anything less than kind and grateful to be included in their event. Unknown to most staffers, contractual arrangements made in advance with cons were occasionally not honored when I arrived and that made me frustrated. That does not excuse making anyone feel badly and I am deeply sorry. I would also like to sincerely apologize to anyone who ever felt my interaction with them (a hug or a kiss on the cheek or forehead) was crossing a line. Never in a million years would it be my intent to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Rather, it was meant to show gratitude or support. I come from an affectionately expressive family where such displays are commonplace. But I understand that not everyone feels the same way. Hence, I will not be interacting in the same way with fans in the future. Understand this is the climate we live in and this is how it has to be. To my fans who ask me for hugs, etc., I'm sorry, but please know that I am no less grateful to or supportive of you! Finally, any allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or most disturbingly, p--------- are COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY FALSE. My heart weeps for anyone who endures a violation of this kind, so to be accused of harming others in this way...! have no words. Sincerely, Vic Mignogna](https://a.kym-cdn.com/assets/blank-b3f96f160b75b1b49b426754ba188fe8.gif)
Rooster Teeth's Response
On February 5th, 2019, Rooster Teeth published an announcement that Mignogna was "no longer a part of the cast" for the show RWBY and that the company was "ending all associations with Mignogna."[3]
Funimation's Response
On February 11th, Funimation announced one of his roles will be recast and they will no longer engaging with Mignogna in future productions.
Everyone, we wanted to give you an update on the Vic Mignogna situation. Following an investigation, Funimation recast Vic Mignogna in Morose Mononokean Season 2. Funimation will not be engaging Mignogna in future productions.
โ Funimation (@FUNimation) February 11, 2019
Gofundme
On February 19th, a GoFundMe was launched by Nick Rekieta with a $100,000 goal.[7] The money will go directly to lawyer fees and any extra money left over will go to charity.[8] The GoFundME reached the goal on March 5th.
Ty Beard
On March 1st, 2019, Mignogna's attorney Ty Beard replied to a thread on Twitter[9] about accusations against Mignogna with the message "We will be in touch" (shown below).
![Ty Beard "We will be in touch" Monica RialRialisms Feb 19 These last few weeks have been some of the hardest of my lifetime. Please understand that we are ALL hurting. No matter what you choose to believe, please be kind. <3 rst, please know that I've tried to address his behavior with him. I'm the kind c ell you when you have food in your teeth and I was tired of people talking abe s back. How would he change if he didn't know his behavior was wrong? Each ologize and then be back at it within weeks. The studios slowly began to stop not just because of sexual harassment, but because he was difficult to or ugh he had a huge fan following, directors began to look elsewhere. .." henever he saw me he would take a fist full of my hair, pull my head back, an o closely to my ear that his lips were touching or kiss my cheek/neck. This wat ont of fans ar colleagues sol had to be very careful about how I reacted. I did w inappropriate it was because he did it to so many people. I've witnessed it hers have witnessed it happen to me; colleagues and fans p for this community. t have loved the anime fanda remort TD be threatened ฤฐke this by the tummutit the mid-2000s we were at a convention together and he grabbed me and kissd up forthe Dragon Buil fandom, only to have that room ' froze. You may wonder why I didn't yell or scream or push him away. I lessly has been 50 incredibly paint, scant even /hy? Because I was r---- as a teenager and I learned that sometimes fighting thing hurtful toward Vic or any of his fans Idon't worse. Why did I go to his room? Because he asked me to watch a video and I use he was my friend. Not only that, but he was dating my friend Michele and phaps I would bu wiling to Far hin ai ing with my e, I distanced myself from him and unfortunately Michele as well. I felt incredny threats or rtaltion wil be met with an immed n though I hadn't done anything wrong. I went to therapy and worke o forgive him for what he had done. Maybe it was just me? Maybe it was a one er to be repeated again? You can imagine my devastation when Ilearned that ne. That it was happening to colleagues, and worse yet, convention attendee s have hut many people, incuding me. Ifhe takes at the convention all weekend, After that ng. I'm tired of the threars, al ot t From hereon.i Breloominati @Breloominati7. Feb 20 I'm glad you've apologized to fans even if a bit latel still support #standwithWG but watching favorite VA's and their fans fight on twitter has been heartbreaking. Hopefully this is settled in court soon, so we can agree on who is innocent and the community will be less toxic 119 David Laus DavidLaus1 Feb 20 She only apologized because @vicmignogna is suing her and his other accusers This isn't "I'm sorry l was such a bitch to my fans; this is "I'm sorry I'm about to go to court". #StandWithVic Ron Toye@RonToye Feb 28 No he isn't. You trolls think him lawyering up was an offensive move. Sorry, it was defensive. He knows the skeletons he has hidden that are coming back to haunt him 94 tl37 Ty Beard @TyBeard10 Replying to @RonToye@DavidLaus1 and 3 others We will be in touch. 9:38 PM 1 Mar 2019](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/478/225/70f.jpg)
On March 4th, the Rekieta Law YouTube channel held a livestream with Ty Beard about the Vic Mignogna case (shown below, left). The following day, YouTuber ThatUmbrellaGuy uploaded a video reacting to the livestream (shown below, right).
On March 20th, Rekieta Law held another livestream with Beard, who discussed ethics complaints, KamehaCon and various legal issues (shown below).
Search Interest
References
[1] Anime Cons โ Vic Mignogna
[2] Anime News Network โ Fans Recount Unwanted Affection from Voice Actor Vic Mignogna
[3] Rooster Teeth โ Vic Mignogna
[4] Twitter โ @vicmignogna
[5] Twitter โ @hanleia tweet
[6] PrettyUglyLittleLiar (via Wayback Machine) โ Vic Mignogna
[7] Gofundme โ Vic Kicks Back
[8] Twitter โ gofundme tweet
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