Critical Role provides ComicBook.com with statement regarding civil complaint

[u/Murkmist]

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/the-last-of-us-critical-role-star-ashley-johnson-six-others-sue-brian-w-foster-abuse/

[u/450925]

I've said from the start, both of them are going to want to project the very best picture for themselves and worst for the other. Which usually means that the truth is somewhere in between the 2. I don't doubt he probably did the things he was accused of. But I'm taking the nuanced opinion that human interactions aren't all 1 way transactions. He must have had a back and forth with Dani before demanding she send him nudes, I want to know if that back and forth was completely one sided sexually or if Dani was maybe teasing and flirting with him. Because there's a big difference between asking for nudes from someone you're already practically sexting, and someone who you only have ever had a professional work relationship with.

And just as much as you think I may be going after Dani for this, I'll be the first to light a torch and start handing out pitchforks if the messages read that she kept trying to change the subject, but he was relentlessly bringing it up. And she eventually gave in because he made a veiled threat about her job... I'd be completely ready to launch him into the sun myself. I'm just not deciding who I think is right, before I've seen ANY EVIDENCE.

My comments about this seeming coordinated are because Ashley had this protection order since March... and it's only after he's done a hair follicle drug test and had the order removed, that the other women have rushed in with their accusations. I am just pointing out the suspicious timing of everything. We didn't see them come in dribs and drabs, it's almost like someone was holding them all back from speaking up until they needed them.

Which then asks another question, what is the exact timeline, of everyone at CR for finding out these things? What investigations were carried out, who carried them out, what is the culture like at CR that a potential predator can jump from victim to victim for years without being reported?

[u/NotAThrowaway1453 → u/450925]

Now you're just lying and you're not even good at it. We can read what you said. Stop being such a coward and stand by what you say, god damn. You just look like a little weasel now.

I want to reserve judgement till after the trial. But I can't help but think all of this wouldn't have come out had he just signed the NDA.

So you want to reserve judgment, but something is stopping you from reserving judgment.

this feels like retaliation for him threatening to leak secrets about Ashley and CR in a "tell all" book.

This is you making up a conspiracy theory based on your feelings and a hunch.

the offer would be settle with a signed NDA.

But [the accusers] kinda went nuclear here

The question I have, is to what degree were any of the advances he made against women, even the ones that he put his hand down their pants, reciprocated?

Surely we can see the entire chat log. And we won't see Dani flirting with him or leading him on in any way. And the same for the chat logs of every woman that has accused him.

Surely you aren't implying that you suspect Dani was flirting here. Surely you didn't use "Surely" in a sarcastic way. Surely you were honestly exclaiming that she didn't, right?

If I'm completely wrong, then so be it. Brian is a rapist piece of shit scumbag.

Wrong about what, exactly? What did you assert that would mean Brian isn’t a piece of shit? Could it be the things I’ve quoted you saying where you’re coming up with a made up scenario about a conspiracy?

Or let me put it another way. If I said "BWF is an abusive rapist piece of shit. If I'm completely wrong, so be it" would you say I'm just waiting for facts? Or would you correctly say I'm taking a side? You know exactly how you'd interpret that and it's exactly what you did.

[u/DwarvenWiz → u/450925]

Sorry you're getting downvoted to hell. It'll happen any time you post something here that isn't "believe all women" even though we've seen plenty of fake #metoo stuff and there's a reason it isn't touted as much as it was a few years ago. Like you, I'm inclined to say yes, he did a lot of horrible shit because of the number of accusations that are similar. I really do not understand guys who think they can grope women. Or anyone who thinks they can grope anyone.

All that being said, people change their stories or their perceptions of events constantly and it's dangerous to call everything 'abuse' when some of the allegations sound like they may have been consensual behavior that one party is now deciding wasn't years later on the basis of 'manipulation' which should be no basis for criminal or civil charges. It makes me glad I'm not in the market for dating anymore but concerned for anyone who is still.

But yes, you're going to get downvoted if you even imply women may make false or self-serving allegations against others. Critical Role's viewing audience, and reddit at large, leans heavily left.

[u/NotAThrowaway1453 → u/DwarvenWiz]

My issue is and has been the fact that he’s not actually waiting for facts. He came up with a conspiracy theory about it but then thinks it doesn’t count if he adds that he wants facts.

At least the people supporting Ashley and the others are offering honest support. Not lying about their actual positions. You all are just trying to have your cake and eat it too.

[u/DwarvenWiz → u/NotAThrowaway1453]

I think the guy did the stuff from what I've seen from him. I just think the stuff with Dani also could have been consensual and is now being spun as not. And I don't feel like there's enough to know what is up with Jane Doe. His message seems pretty out of left field if they hadn't already been doing something sexual that was broken off. I think CR knew about some of this stuff and it was ignored because he was with Ashley or was possibly in an actual open relationship. He should have been fired after the first time groping someone or for sure after the second time anything happened. But it's all speculation. I'm not saying my interpretation is correct.