Wesley Lowery, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist known for his coverage of race and policing, has reportedly been accused of sexual harassment and assault by multiple women, according to a report published Wednesday by the Columbia Journalism Review.
The allegations, spanning from 2018 to 2024, involve female journalists and students who say Mr. Lowery used alcohol to facilitate unwanted sexual encounters.
Mr. Lowery, 34, resigned in March from his position as a tenured professor and executive editor of American University’s Investigative Reporting Workshop amid the mounting allegations.
Mr. Lowery has worked for prominent news organizations including The Washington Post, CNN and “60 Minutes,” and authored a bestselling book about police violence.
He gained national recognition for his reporting on racial justice issues, particularly following the death of George Floyd in 2020.
Among the accusers is Olivia Messer, now editor-in-chief of The Barbed Wire, a Texas publication.
Ms. Messer alleges that in January 2020, Mr. Lowery repeatedly ordered her drinks at a bar before pressuring her into oral sex at her apartment.
She described a second incident in 2023 when she woke up in bed with Mr. Lowery after a night of drinking, with no memory of consenting to sexual activity.
Imani Moise, a Wall Street Journal reporter, said Mr. Lowery bought her drinks until she was heavily intoxicated during a December 2018 encounter in Washington, then took her to his apartment where he assaulted her.
Ms. Moise noted the irony that they had discussed the #MeToo movement earlier that evening.
Another journalist, who met Mr. Lowery through a dating app in 2022, said she woke up partially conscious to find him having sex with her without her consent. She later noticed bruises and a cut on her foot.
A writer-researcher who worked with Mr. Lowery described a February 2024 incident at a Washington hotel where she said he pressured her to drink and later coerced her into allowing him into her apartment, threatening her employment.
At least three female students at American University also reported uncomfortable interactions with Mr. Lowery, including inappropriate sexual analogies during academic discussions and concerning behavior in his office.
The allegations have been documented in Title IX complaints filed with American University.
Mr. Lowery has sent messages expressing regret to some accusers but has also disputed aspects of the allegations.
The Columbia Journalism Review’s investigation highlights ongoing concerns about power dynamics and misconduct within the journalism industry, particularly involving established figures who mentor younger professionals and students.
[READ MORE: Zeldin Slams Democrats Over Reform of EPA]
