It’s a problem as old as time: People feel they’re entitled and aren’t subject to the same rules as the rest of us. Often it’s celebrities, the wealthy, and the politically prominent. Some parents jokingly argue their Millennial children fall into this category as well.
It’s also true of those who attract major donors. Serious problems arise when non-profits and cultural or educational institutions ignore the transgressions because they’re loath to offend their benefactors.
The University of Southern California is the latest to publicly wrestle with this.
Did officials look the other way while the then-dean of its medical school, Carmen Puliafito, partied with criminals and did drugs frequently and openly — because he raised more than $1 billion for USC? Earlier, did it try to ignore a football coach’s drinking problem because the sport was a big money-earner?
Penn State confronted a similar scandal four years ago amid accusations that officials for years knew about but ignored the sexual molestation of young players by football coach Jerry Sandusky. The Board of Trustees fired everyone in the chain of command, from popular head football coach Joe Paterno, up through the bureaucracy to the university’s president.
It’s a question of who knew what and when. If officials knew, they were culpable. If they didn’t know, they should have.
In constructing its defense, USC may have fumbled.
It claims it received evidence against Puliafito only after allegations surfaced recently in the Los Angeles Times. But in a memo to faculty, USC’s provost acknowledged it had heard rumors and received complaints for some time, but chose not to act. This created the appearance of a cover-up.
Ultimately, the facts may be only semi-relevant. You’re guilty until proven innocent. The public always remembers the allegation.
That’s partly because of cynicism. Where there’s smoke, there must be fire.
It’s also partly because of selective memory. Scandals are titillating and provide fodder for speculation and gossip. You’re much more likely to hear, “Oh my god, did you hear about [insert scandal de jour]?!?”
To the media, accusations are big news. Vindication, if it comes, is relegated to the back pages.
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You can reach Roger Gillott and Eden Gillott directly at 310-396-8696.
Gillott Communications is a Los Angeles-based public relations firm that specializes in high-stakes Crisis & Reputation Management with more than 50 years of expertise in strategic communications, corporate public relations, and working with the media.
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