Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) today is standing firm for the protection of female students in every classroom. 
 
In a letter to George Mason University’s President, Dr. Gregory Washington, and the Antonin Scalia Law School’s Dean, Kenneth C. Randall, Chairwoman Foxx is demanding answers following reports alleging that Joshua Wright, a former professor, used his academic influence to seduce and harass young, female students in his law classes. 
 
The report also claims that Professor Wright’s conduct was widely known around campus, yet he continued to be an esteemed member of the faculty. The letter to George Mason University comes as the nation recognizes the anniversary of Title IX, which was enacted to protect students from the type of harassment and misconduct outlined in the report. 
 
In the letter, Foxx writes: “On June 8, 2024, The Wall Street Journal published a troubling investigative report about former Antonin Scalia Law School (law school) professor Joshua Wright’s apparent use of his influence over academic and career opportunities to seduce young female law students into inappropriate sexual relationships or to harass them sexually at various points during the period 2004-2023, when he served on the faculty.”
 
Foxx continues: “Furthermore, it appears Professor Wright ‘evaded scrutiny over affairs with students because the university, like Wilson Sonsini [law firm with which Wright associated], found him too valuable to lose,’ according to allegations of the women. ‘His conduct was known around campus, those women said, and complaints to school officials in past years went nowhere.’ … As Chairwoman of the Committee charged with oversight of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX), I am deeply disturbed by the allegations in the report.”
 
Foxx concludes by requesting:

• An explanation of all steps the law school or George Mason University (university) took to investigate each of the students’ allegations, as well as the outcomes of those investigations; 
• Copies of all Title IX policies and procedures in place during 2004-2023; and
• Steps the law school and the university have taken to protect against such incidents recurring in the future. 

To read the full letter, click here.