CMS Announcement to our Community
The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas announces the results of an external, independent investigation led by Margaret C. Bell of Lagasse Branch Bell + Kinkead on sexual harassment allegations regarding select members of the organization, as reported in October 2020. Ms. Bell delivered her report on the investigation to the CMS-A's Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee in September 2021. Over the past two months the committee reviewed the evidence from each of the twenty-two individual cases, working alongside RALIANCE — a group that partners with a wide range of organizations to improve their cultures and create environments free from sexual harassment, misconduct, and abuse. Based on the investigation’s findings and the committee’s individual review of each case, the CMS-A has moved to terminate the membership of Bob Bath, Fred Dame, Fred Dexheimer, Drew Hendricks, Joseph Linder, and Matt Stamp, pending a hearing within thirty days according to the process required by law and the organization’s bylaws. In addition, the board voted to prohibit Geoff Kruth, who resigned from the organization in 2020, from ever applying for reinstatement. The investigation’s findings did not support further action in some cases, and those members have been removed from suspension effective immediately. For the remainder of the cases, the CMS-A worked with the RALIANCE team to develop varying levels of rehabilitative education to allow members to take accountability and then return in good standing.
For the survivors, the CMS-A will offer dedicated, individualized support as facilitated by the RALIANCE team, which has more than 300 cumulative years of relevant expertise, rooted in the experiences of survivors.
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