In the wake of SPIN’s report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against former Real Estate guitarist Matt Mondanile from seven women, Mondanile has released a public statement, through his attorneys, regarding the allegations and his dismissal from the band in 2016. Via Pitchfork, it reads:
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.
Earlier this month, the remaining members of Real Estate provided SPIN with two statements acknowledging that Mondanile was dismissed from the band in February 2016 over allegations about his “unacceptable treatment of women.” SPIN then reported detailed accusations against Mondanile that spanned eleven years. These largely consisted of accounts of Mondanile groping women without their consent and forcibly kissing them. Two women said that they’d woken to find that he’d been groping their bodies while they slept.
Mondanile did not respond to multiple requests for comment from SPIN regarding these allegations, but in a message to one of the sources from the story, Mondanile seemed to acknowledge having behaved inappropriately in the past. “I’ve learned from my mistakes and been very good for a long time,” he wrote.
