Employee Alleged Harassment Case - Chad Kelly

[ArgoRavi]

The league did an external workplace investigation into the complainant's allegations. That is a standard thing to - or at least should be - in situations such as this one, in any workplace. The league actually did the right thing here. Ambrosie's language in the league's release is quite strong - "That in-depth investigation found that Mr. Kelly unequivocally violated the CFL’s Gender-based Violence Policy."

The reality is that this is not a criminal case; it's a civil case, which the complainant has a right to pursue. Separate from that, the league had an obligation to investigate the allegations and the investigator has clearly found substantial evidence supporting the complainant's story. Kelly has the right to grieve and appeal this. As it stands currently though, the investigation is damning towards him.

As an aside, if someone told me back in January that an Argo was alleged to have sexually harassed a fellow employee, the first name that would have come to my mind is Chad Kelly, given his rich past of immaturity. I was really hoping that he had finally "got it" and grown up in 2023 and am extremely disappointed to see that he has seemingly not done so.

[OV Argo]

That's the only reason you could fathom that I'd be honked off at the CFL? You lack imagination, friend.

How about pronouncing a punishment 225% more punitive than any ever doled out during the middle of a he-said, she-said civil suit that has yet to conclude.

To my knowledge, 4 games is the max ever given and those have been for foul/violent/illegal play, live on camera and in front of witnesses that could be described in any other place as an attempted murder.
This however is for a case of a contract which wasn't renewed for an employee that was in such a terribly hostile work environment that they actually wanted to come back to that environment for more but then filed a suit when it was clear that they couldn't come back for another year of the alleged abuse.

It stinks.

Just FYI, both Johnny Manzier & Garrett Marino were banned from the league, effectively, for life.

And in this day & age of sensitivity towards sexual discrimination or harassment and with media/internet shining a bright light on any incidents there, I'm surprised Kelly was not given a one year suspension with a mandatory public apology and counselling (and non-compliance = you're gone for life). His reply proclaiming innocence on the matter speaks volumes though.

[Mulder]

How is it obvious? What evidence is there?

The policy is clear that the CFL will impose sanctions when determined by the courts, police or confirmed by the perpetrator.

https://www.cfl.ca/2015/08/06/cfl-an...-women-policy/

Since, the matter is a civil case before the courts, the police are not involved and assuming the CFL is following their own policy, that leaves #3.

["Issues"Mcgee]

The policy is clear that the CFL will impose sanctions when determined by the courts, police or confirmed by the perpetrator.

https://www.cfl.ca/2015/08/06/cfl-an...-women-policy/

Since, the matter is a civil case before the courts, the police are not involved and assuming the CFL is following their own policy, that leaves #3.

What isn't clear is why Kelly is suspended. Most of you have complained about the incompetence of the CFL for years, but now that they are coming down on Kelly they are suddenly perfect and it's obvious Kelly did something just because they say he did?

I'm done speaking on this matter. When the Argos start 0-5 this season just keep telling yourself the CFL did the right thing.

[kellynjk]

No the CFL imposed the suspension because they hired an independent investigator to review what happened and he compiled a detailed report that showed that Kelly has unequivocally violated the league's gender based violence. The CFL does alot of things wrong, but they did the right thing in this case. This has happened directly because of Kelly's behaviour and the fact he is an asshole - which is regrettable for Argo fans, but it is what it is. I have faith that the Argos will work with Cameron Dukes along with other options and believe there is every chance that the Argos will have an excellent season without Kelly!

[Mulder]

What isn't clear is why Kelly is suspended. Most of you have complained about the incompetence of the CFL for years, but now that they are coming down on Kelly they are suddenly perfect and it's obvious Kelly did something just because they say he did?

I'm done speaking on this matter. When the Argos start 0-5 this season just keep telling yourself the CFL did the right thing.

If Chad Kelly had an interview with the independent investigator, and said "Ya I yelled at her and said XYZ because ABC" the 'because' doesn't matter. Per the CFL Policy is an admission that the event happened, and verbal harassment counts as gendered based violence, per CFL Policy.

[paulwoods13]

I'm done speaking on this matter. When the Argos start 0-5 this season just keep telling yourself the CFL did the right thing.

I doubt the Argos will start the season 0-and-5, but even if they do, I will support the CFL's decision. Just as I would support a decision by MLSE to release Kelly.

["Issues"Mcgee]

No the CFL imposed the suspension because they hired an independent investigator to review what happened and he compiled a detailed report that showed that Kelly has unequivocally violated the league's gender based violence. The CFL does alot of things wrong, but they did the right thing in this case. This has happened directly because of Kelly's behaviour and the fact he is an asshole - which is regrettable for Argo fans, but it is what it is. I have faith that the Argos will work with Cameron Dukes along with other options and believe there is every chance that the Argos will have an excellent season without Kelly!

Please provide some details of this report.

[ArgoRavi]

Please provide some details of this report.

Kelly and his counsel have likely already seen this report. Reports, such as this one, are rarely released to the public, regardless of the workplace. This is hardly unusual.

[kellynjk]

Please provide some details of this report.

Well we already heard some of the details of the incidents haven't we - through the documents filed in the civil suit. I certainly trust the CFL and the independent investigator with doing a thorough investigation substantiated by fact and witnesses. I support their decision regarding Kelly and I echo the sentiment that I would support the Argos releasing Kelly if they felt that was the best way forward.

["Issues"Mcgee]

Well we already heard some of the details of the incidents haven't we - through the documents filed in the civil suit. I certainly trust the CFL and the independent investigator with doing a thorough investigation substantiated by fact and witnesses. I support their decision regarding Kelly and I echo the sentiment that I would support the Argos releasing Kelly if they felt that was the best way forward.

A judge hasn't ruled on said documents filed in court. Documents filed in a civil suit are not automatically truth.

If a judge rules Kelly and the Argos did wrong, I am all for a suitable punishment.

[primetime31]

Given that Kelly "violated" the CFL's gender-based violence policy, perhaps the level of proof required for guilt has a lower bar than for civil cases or certainly a criminal case, which doesn't apply here. However, does the guilty verdict from the league affect Kelly's civil case? If so, then more of the information from the league's investigation may come to light. That unless the Argos and MLSE decide that this has to all go away with a NDA and out-of-court settlement.

[Rich]

In 2021 star NFL QB Deshaun Watson was sued for sexual assault by more than a dozen female massage therapists. In 2022 the NFL suspended Watson for 11 games.

There was some fallout for the Browns re-signing Watson, but the backlash wasn’t as big as people anticipated. He made his public apology, the more than 20 complainants all received settlements, and after serving his suspension, life pretty much carried on as before.

In 2024 Chad Kelly receives a similar suspension for a much lesser transgression in scope and severity. Well, good. We take gender safety more seriously in this country. A 9-game suspension plus mandatory counselling for shouting threats at the complainant on a crowded team bus is proof of that.

A wise and just decision by the league IMO. I gotta say I hear a little virtue signalling in all these calls for Kelly’s total banishment.

[ArgoRavi]

I know that 3downnation.com gets a fair bit of criticism but I do think that they did an excellent job in discussing the Kelly situation on their podcast this week: https://3downnation.com/2024/05/08/3...egall-returns/

They spent about half an hour on the topic and I think it's worth a listen. Justin Dunk mentioned that he has heard that players were interviewed as part of the investigation.

[ArgoRavi]

In 2021 star NFL QB Deshaun Watson was sued for sexual assault by more than a dozen female massage therapists. In 2022 the NFL suspended Watson for 11 games.

There was some fallout for the Browns re-signing Watson, but the backlash wasn’t as big as people anticipated. He made his public apology, the more than 20 complainants all received settlements, and after serving his suspension, life pretty much carried on as before.

In 2024 Chad Kelly receives a similar suspension for a much lesser transgression in scope and severity. Well, good. We take gender safety more seriously in this country. A 9-game suspension plus mandatory counselling for shouting threats at the complainant on a crowded team bus is proof of that.

A wise and just decision by the league IMO. I gotta say I hear a little virtue signalling in all these calls for Kelly’s total banishment.

To be fair, I believe that Kelly did much more than just shout threats at the complainant on the team bus. There were numerous incidents over the course of 2022 and 2023, according to the complainant's version of events - at least some of which appears to have been substantiated in the investigation. I would suggest that, in most workplaces, such conduct would get the employee engaging in such behaviour fired.

[Rich]

To be fair, I believe that Kelly did much more than just shout threats at the complainant on the team bus. There were numerous incidents over the course of 2022 and 2023, according to the complainant's version of events - at least some of which appears to have been substantiated in the investigation. I would suggest that, in most workplaces, such conduct would get the employee engaging in such behaviour fired.

The bus incident was surely the easiest to corroborate with multiple witnesses, and also, it was more blatantly violent than any of the other interactions she described.

And I would suggest that as the Deshaun Watson experience shows, professional sports franchises are nothing like most workplaces, for better or for worse.

[AngeloV]

Interesting that Kelly is practicing at rookie camp today. If this case were to get dismissed in court, then what?

[Will]

There is evidently some sort of loophole (or interpretation) with regards to this suspension. The CFL says it is up to the Argos, and the Argos have interpreted it to mean that Kelly can be at training camp in some sort of capacity. I don't think this is a very smart PR move for the Argos.

[Will]

Interesting that Kelly is practicing at rookie camp today. If this case were to get dismissed in court, then what?

It's unclear what he's actually doing. Is he actually wearing the red QB jersey or just lurking in the background?

[ArgofanIan]

Howard Berger... mentioned his facebook its his opinion... that he feels ARGO's will cut ties with Chad Kelly shortly .... not stating any inside sources directly.... just a heads up incase he is correct.... wasn't something I was expecting at this time....