We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it.

Today’s workforce looks different than ever before. With digital natives now making up the majority, workplace risk isn’t showing up quietly. It Tweets. It posts. It spirals into headlines. That’s why companies are rethinking outdated risk mitigation efforts and adopting social media screening across the entire employee lifecycle, from pre-hire to offboarding.

In Episode 16 of #9to5Nightmares, Amy Warren and Micole Garatti unpack three real-life misconduct cases that are as wild as they are eye-opening:

Case 1: Former officer sentenced to probation after allegedly wearing police uniform in OnlyFans video

A former Metro Nashville police officer was sentenced to probation after being accused of filming an explicit OnlyFans-style video while on duty and in uniform. The “mock traffic stop” video, where a woman exposed herself during the encounter, landed the officer with a felony misconduct charge and the end of his law enforcement career. The video was recorded on company time and in his police uniform, violating several department rules and laws. (WDTV) 

Case 2: A  stranger told me I was sending my kids to ‘Nazi camp’ — this shows how mainstream anti-Jew hate has become

In a disturbing display of online harassment, a Fidelity employee went on a social media rampage targeting parents and children after a Summer Camp incident that accidentally traumatized Jewish campers and parents. Messages included “F*** you and f*** your kid who goes to Nazi summer camp!” — language that quickly went viral and resulted in termination. Fidelity later made a public statement denouncing the comments, but the damage was already done. (NY Post)

Case 3: Executive Inflates Revenue by Billions

During a Fama social media screening, we surfaced online content showing a senior executive was implicated in inflating company revenue by billions of dollars. Investigators allege falsified financial statements were used to meet aggressive revenue goals. At this level, misconduct doesn’t just harm culture, it threatens investor confidence, stock performance, and long-term stability.

Why This Matters

From viral videos to hate speech to financial manipulation, misconduct can take many forms. But the throughline is the same: it rarely starts with a formal HR complaint. It starts online, often in public view, long before the company is prepared to respond.

That’s why modern employers are moving past one-time background checks and embracing ongoing, ethical screening solutions that catch warning signs before they become tomorrow’s headlines.

We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!

In this episode of #9to5Nightmares, your hosts Amy Warren and Micole Garatti break down the latest batch of workplace scandals that blew up online—and what they reveal about modern misconduct, leadership failures, and the reputational landmines hiding in plain sight.

From a pediatrician’s shocking post about Texas flood victims, to a Love Island contestant’s racist remarks, to a CEO caught in an HR nightmare on the Coldplay kiss cam (yes, really)—this week’s stories span healthcare, reality TV, tech, and HR itself.

Each case is a brutal reminder: in 2025, the line between personal and professional behavior is thinner than ever—and misconduct travels fast. Whether you're in HR, compliance, or just trying to stay out of trouble, these stories show why it’s mission-critical to spot red flags before they go viral.

Scandals include: 

1. Pediatrician fired for vile post suggesting Texas flood victims were Trump supporters who got ‘what they voted for’

Dr. Christina Propst was terminated after a Facebook post implied that victims of the Texas floods—more than 80 individuals, including children—were Trump supporters who ‘got what they voted for.’ The since‑deleted post under her former account drew widespread condemnation and highlighted how a single comment can overshadow decades of professional service. (New York Post)

2. Love Island USA's Cierra leaves show after racism row

Love Island USA star Cierra Ortega faced backlash from fans over resurfaced social media posts that used a derogatory term against the Asian community. In an Instagram story from 2023, Ortega used the slur as she explained her Botox procedures, writing, “I can also be a little chinky when I laugh/smile so I love getting a mini brow lift to open up my eyes and get that snatched look.”

Ortega is the second person to be cut from the show this season for racism uncovered by fans. The first was Yulissa Escobar, in which her video from a podcast resurfaced where she used the N-word while discussing boy drama with the hosts. (BBC)

3. US tech company Astronomer's CEO resigns after being caught having an affair with CPO at Coldplay concert

At a Coldplay concert, Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot were caught on the venue’s ‘kiss cam.’ Their awkward reaction—ducking and covering their faces—sparked speculation of an undisclosed workplace relationship. The video footage went viral on social media, turning into one of the most popular memes of the weekend. Following the scandal, Astronomer said on Friday via a LinkedIn statement that its Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation. Soon after, Astronomer issued another LinkedIn statement, announcing that Byron had tendered his resignation, and that the Board of Directors had accepted this decision. (Human Resource Online)

4. Fama findings: Uncovered harassment by a Chief People Officer

Outside the headlines,

We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!

Hiring in 2025 comes with a new reality: every post, livestream, or DM can surface at work the very next day. In Episode 14 of the #9to5Nightmares podcast, Amy Warren and Micole Garatti dig into three headline-grabbing cases that prove online misconduct doesn’t just hurt an individual’s reputation, it can torpedo an employer’s brand, bottom line, and legal standing.

The Internet Is Forever (and So Are the Receipts)

Digital natives grew up oversharing online, and now they make up most of the workforce. When employees carry that same unfiltered behavior into their jobs – or publicly online in ways that impact their employers – the fallout can be instant and expensive.

Forward-thinking organizations are treating online behavior as a quality-of-hire metric. Social media background checks let you spot red flags—harassment, hate speech, fraud—before they land on tomorrow’s front page.

On #9to5Nightmares Podcast Episode 14: Online Misconduct, we discuss 3 examples of workplace misconduct that could have been prevented with social media background checks. 

3 Examples of Online Misconduct 

1. When Social Media Crosses the Line: A Wake-Up Call for Nursing Professionalism

A new nurse was fired from her job after live streaming herself during her shift at a nursing home. In the stream, viewers watched her administer medications, talk to and about patients, and make a medication error—while she read and responded to live comments on social media. The video went viral, showing the world the nurse’s unprofessional conduct, potential HIPAA violations, and improper clinical technique throughout the day. (1Nurse) 

2. Police officer resigns in disgrace after harassing coworkers both in office and online

A male police officer repeatedly harassed female colleagues, making "highly offensive" and "vulgar" comments in person as well as initiating unwanted contact through social media. After complaints by the coworkers, the Police Constable said in a statement, [the officer’s] "actions were highly unprofessional and undoubtedly made his female colleagues feel deeply uncomfortable and such behaviour will not be tolerated." The officer resigned during the course of the investigation, which would have resulted in his termination. (BBC)

3. Fama story – Candidate indicted for bribery! 

Fama screened an executive candidate who was indicted in not one but two countries for bribing government officials in hopes of receiving a large multimillion dollar contract. The candidate was acquitted in one country for a lack of evidence but pleaded guilty in the other for corruption and bribery. The employer ended up with a near billion-dollar fine. 

There’s no question about it – the workforce is changing and employers must adapt to protect themselves from new blind spots and people risks. That means taking proactive measures like adopting social media background checks to prevent online misconduct that can impact not just an employee but the employer, their customers, and more. 

We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!

On #9to5Nightmares Podcast Episode 13: WRKDefined’s Mandatory Meeting, hosts Amy Warren and Micole Garatti listen to William Tincup and Ryan Leary share real-life misconduct stories from their past. This special episode wraps up Fama’s previous podcast takeover with WRKdefined’s Mandatory Meeting series, which includes 20 episodes of scandalous misconduct stories from industry professionals and leaders. 

William Tincup and Ryan Leary both spent time in HR and recruiting. And, they have some serious misconduct stories to show for it. After hearing dozens of scandals over the years, it’s not often Micole and Amy are left speechless. But, Tincup and Ryan share stories that are definitely ones that require Mandatory Meetings. Hear them for yourself. 

This episode includes stories: 

4 Examples of Workplace Misconduct from WRKdefined 

#1. Marketing Leader Turns into Sexual Harasser 

In the early days of social media, Ryan Leary worked at a staffing agency that placed a marketing leader who crushed the interviews, had glowing references, and was loved by the executive team. About six weeks in, Ryan started getting side-channel messages from the client that the new leader was dropping comments that were sexist, passive-aggressive, and “just kidding” type of comments → aka harassment. It turns out the man had previously been accused of the same misconduct as well as making inappropriate comments on women’s social media photos at other companies. The client terminated the new hire and Ryan’s agency had to replace him, while losing serious trust from the client for not finding the past misconduct before the placement. 

#2. Finance New Hire is Discovered as a Nazi…Post Hire 

Back in 2013, Ryan was staffing a finance position for a biotech company. The company was working on a project that was bleeding money and they needed someone urgerntly to help them stop the bleeding. Two days into onboarding, one of his coworkers saw a tattoo that was visible–a swastika. Turns out the new hire had multiple tattoos with swastikas and hate-speech phrases as well as a long history of public and hateful political rants against several major protected groups. The client fired the new hire week 1. 

#3. A Boss and Direct Report Make a Sex Tape… and it Goes Viral 

Earlier in William Tincup’s career as an HR professional, an employee walked in his office and showed him a sex tape of two of their other coworkers – a boss and direct report – that had been leaked online and was going viral all over the office. While Tincup didn’t plan his day around having to prevent an internal, personal, and professional crisis, his day quickly became about navigating the #9to5Nightmare. 

He called both employees into his office separately to speak with them and then called a company-wide meeting to set the stage that this would NOT become “a thing” in the office and that if anyone tried to make it “a thing” there would be consqueunces. He also encouraged the staff to treat the two individuals in the video with empathy. 

#4. Intern Takes Over Company Social Media… and Harasses Competitors 

At another employer, Tincup’s organization gave interns access to the company’s social media accounts to help them build the brand. Unfortunately, they used the account to make fun of competitors with public comments like, "How can you trust [the competitor], they fucking wear sweater vests?" Needless to say, the organization learned that inte

We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!

On #9to5Nightmares Podcast Episode 12: Social Media Misconduct, hosts Amy Warren and Micole Garatti talk all about Misconduct on Social Media. From NICU nurses mocking sick newborns on social media to influencers selling videos of her performing sex acts with animals, this episode shows the risks organizations face when they don’t screen for misconduct online.

In the episode, you’ll hear about: 

#1. Fama finds man forcing woman coworker to sing “Milkshake” at company event, and more 

A recent Fama screening found a candidate had a history of sexually harassing his coworkers. We uncovered two public instances. First, he pressured one woman coworker into discussing pregnancy plans she didn’t want or need to. However, even worse, he forced another colleague to sing “Milkshake” at a company event. 

This leaves Amy and Micole asking: who would want to attend a company event with him after that? Or even show up to a meeting with him? 

#2. NICU Nurse Is Fired After Posting Photos Mocking Newborn Babies on Social Media

In Korea, a hospital faced a public scandal after one of their NICU nurses posted photos of herself mocking sick newborns in her care. Some posts included the nurse holding newborns in her arms or lap with captures including: “I’m itching to let one fall,” “My anger issues are rising,” and “What time is it? Please just sleep already.” These public posts on her personal social media channels were quickly found and began circulating in online parenting communities. Parents of the newborns have filed complaints against the hospital and nurse. The hospital has since fired the nurse, began working with authorities, and issued a public apology. (Newsbreak)

#3. Florida influencer charged after posting video of alleged sex act with pet dog, sheriff says

A content creator was arrested for selling sexually explicit photos and videos of herself in a sex act with a dog on the internet. She told investigators she was paid $500 for the footage, and that this was not her first sexual encounter with a dog.  (CBS News)

#4. School Counselor Fired After Posting ‘Misogynistic’ Content Telling Girls To ‘Obey’ Husbands

A school counselor was fired from her job at an all-girls’ high school after sharing social media content that encouraged women to “obey” their husbands. The video featured another woman saying “my husband is my boss,” “If he tells me ‘you can’t go out with your friends today’, I’m not going to go out with my friends.” “If he says, ‘hey, go wash this dish for me’, I’m going to go and wash the dish for him. I chose this man to be the king of my life and yes, I agree with everything he says.” Students, parents, and other colleagues complained saying that this kind of rhetoric was sending a bad message to young girls about how they should be treated. The school asked her to delete the video post or make it private and she declined. The school ultimately terminated her. (Cafemom)

#5. Los Angeles news station ‘accidentally’ posts N-word on X: ‘Technical error’

KTLA, known as Channel 5, tweeted the slur with no context Friday morning, and screenshots quickly spread through the internet before the station could delete it. The station came up with several excuses including: It was a technical error and they tried to add the slur to the “mute” words list but accidentally Twe

Power, Abuse, and Workplace Culture – High-Profile Misconduct Cases Uncovered

We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!

The latest episode of 9 to 5 Nightmares unpacks some of the most shocking workplace misconduct cases making headlines—from the entertainment industry to corporate retail boardrooms and even healthcare. What happens when power is unchecked, and the systems meant to protect employees fail?

This episode covers:

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Accused of Sexual Abuse, Coercion, and Violence in New Lawsuit

Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing new allegations from former Bad Boy Entertainment co-founder Kirk Burrowes, detailing decades of sexual abuse, coercion, and workplace intimidation. From being forced to witness disturbing acts to being physically restrained at public events, Burrowes’ lawsuit is one of over 60 cases against Combs—with potentially 120 lawsuits coming out since last year. We discuss the culture of silence in the entertainment industry and the critical role of accountability. 

Kroger’s CEO Abruptly Resigns After Probe Into Personal Conduct

One of the nation’s largest grocery chains was rocked by scandal as its CEO, Rodney McMullen, abruptly resigned following an internal probe into personal conduct that was inconsistent with company values. Immediate after the news of McMullen’s resignation broke, Kroger shares were down 1% on Monday – even though no details were disclosed. This underscores the importance of continuous rescreening—even at the highest levels of leadership. 

My Mental Health Counsellor Answered My Sex Work Ad, Says Abuse Survivor

An abuse survivor shares her disturbing experience with a licensed counselor who encouraged her to return to sex work—only to later respond to her online ad himself. The case exposes serious gaps in professional vetting and oversight in the mental health industry, raising concerns about the lack of safeguards for vulnerable patients.

Why It Matters:

These cases illustrate abuse of power across industries and highlight the risks of failing to enforce ethical workplace standards. Whether it’s a corporate executive, a music industry mogul, or a licensed mental health professional—when misconduct goes unchecked, organizations, employees, and entire industries suffer.

💡 Want more real-world misconduct examples? Check out:

• 🔗 Top Examples of Workplace Misconduct (March 2025)
• 📊 The 2023 State of Misconduct at Work Report

Highlighting hostile work environments and costly misconduct including a historic jury award for workplace harassment against an airline, a record-breaking $107.5 million in Chicago police misconduct settlements, and a Netflix-backed Oscar campaign derailed by resurfaced racist and xenophobic comments from its lead actress.

We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!

Jury Awards $2.17 Million Against Airlines for Sex Discrimination

A Texas jury awarded $2.17 million to a former airline parts clerk in a landmark EEOC lawsuit over a hostile work environment. The former employee faced relentless sexual harassment from coworkers and a male manager, including crude remarks, sex act requests, and rape jokes.

Despite reporting the abuse,  the airline failed to take prompt remedial action. The jury ruled that the airline was aware of the misconduct but did not intervene effectively. 

Chicago Taxpayers Spent At Least $107.5M to Resolve Police Misconduct Lawsuits in 2024, Analysis Finds

Chicago spent $107.5 million on 122 police misconduct lawsuits in 2024, exceeding its $82 million budget by 31%. This marks the city’s highest annual payout since 2011. Cases involved false arrests, excessive force, and malicious prosecution.

The costliest case involved a $20 million settlement for a 15-year-old boy who was left unable to walk or speak after an unauthorized police chase. The soaring costs highlight ongoing accountability issues in law enforcement. Find out more on the report at WTTW.

When Past Misconduct Comes to Light: The Karla Sofía Gascón and Emilia Pérez Oscar Controversy— and What It Means for Organizations

Netflix’s Emilia Pérez lost awards momentum after racist and xenophobic tweets from lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón resurfaced. In now-viral posts, she insulted Muslims, George Floyd, and Oscar diversity, calling Islam a "hotbed of infection" and dismissing Floyd as a "drug addict swindler."

Netflix and her PR team distanced themselves, while co-stars condemned her remarks. The backlash ultimately derailed the film’s Oscar campaign. Read more on the story and its business impact at Fama.

Highlighting stories from a UF Health pediatrician with a history of misdiagnosing abuse based on race and an Eagles fan who lost his job and was banned from games after a viral misogynistic tirade.

We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!

4 UF Health employees complain of bullying, racism and abuse from physician

The incredible student journalists at The Independent Alligator recently reported on Dr. Barbara Knox, a pediatrician at UF Health Jacksonville's First Coast Child Protection Team, who has faced serious allegations of workplace misconduct, patient misdiagnoses, and discriminatory behavior throughout her career. Hired in June 2022, Knox had previously been investigated in Wisconsin and Alaska for bullying staff, violating patient privacy, and making racist remarks. She has been accused of misdiagnosing abuse, particularly among children of color, while overlooking clear signs of abuse in white families. Her past actions led to lawsuits, wrongful custody losses, and even jail time for families based on her medical opinions. Despite UF health staff complaints and widespread fallout, even welfare workers close to the situation are commenting that UF’s continued employment of Knox fails to adequately address her horrific behavior. 

1 Foul-mouthed fan banned from Eagles home games, fired from job after viral tirade against woman

During the NFC wild-card game at Lincoln Financial Field, an Eagles fan escalated friendly banter with two Green Bay Packers fans, including a woman, into a misogynistic tirade as the Eagles' lead grew. The man hurled vile insults, including calling the woman offensive names and making degrading remarks about her appearance. The situation de-escalated only when her fiancé began recording, resulting in the video going viral. As a result, the man, identified as Ryan Caldwell, an IT business analyst for BCT Partners, was fired from his job and banned from attending Eagles games at the stadium. BCT Partners condemned his behavior as "vile, unacceptable, and diametrically opposed" to the company’s values of inclusion, respect, and dignity. Read more on the incident on NBC News.


Tune in next time for more misconduct at work and 9 to 5 Nightmares!

We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!

While compiling Misconduct in the News in January 2025, it was hard not to notice the onslaught of sexual misconduct and assault across workplaces, industries, and the world. So on Episode 8 of the #9to5Nightmares HR Podcast, hosts Amy Warren and Micole Garatti focused on three disturbing misconduct headlines making waves in the news. 

In this episode, you’ll hear stories about the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s OBGYN who is currently being sued in several cases for sexually abusing hundreds of patients over several decades, upcoming legal action against UK McDonald’s by over 700 current and past workers alleging widespread misconduct, and the ongoing saga of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. 

This episode is one you can’t afford to miss. 

Details include: 

Lawsuit alleges OBGYN sexually abused 100s of patients; LA-based Cedars-Sinai covered it up

A press release published on Business Wire claims that Dr. Barry J. Brock and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are being sued again with a total of 167 individual claims saying that the OBGYN has been sexually abusing patients at the hospital since he started in the 70s. It’s alleged that Cedars-Sinai gaslighted women and covered up his sexual misconduct over the decades. He wasn’t suspended until August 2024. The law firm also states that over 200 patients have reached out to them regarding the latest lawsuit. 

Over 700 U.K. McDonald's workers plan legal action amid widespread misconduct

People recently reported that more than 700 current and former UK McDonald’s workers are taking legal action over "allegations of widespread harassment" across over 450 restaurants. Allegations include sexual assault, discrimination, homophobia, racism, ableism, harassment, and more, with heartbreaking stories including: a young worker was repeatedly pestered for sex, a young worker was asked by their manager how many people they had slept with, and a manager reportedly touched young staff inappropriately on their shifts. The allegations have become so large that McDonald’s UK CEO sat before the UK's parliament to discuss the claims. The UK CEO said they take these claims very seriously and fired 29 people for sexual harassment in the past year. The UK CEO says they will investigate allegations and take action. Considering the widespread nature of these allegations, will their actions be enough?

The sexual misconduct and “we can bury anyone” saga between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni (NY Times)

Shortly after Blake Lively filed a Civil Rights complaint against Justin Baldoni, his studio co-founder, and others, the New York Times published a lengthy article walking through Lively’s sexual misconduct and reputational harm allegations against Baldoni and his team. The complaint and subsequent federal lawsuit allegations detailed how before filming, Lively was uncomfortable with seemingly unnecessary sex or kissing scenes in the script and requested an intimacy coordinator, an additional producer, and a promise to not retaliate against her for the misconduct complaints. During filming, however, she alleges that Baldoni and his team discussed their sex lives with Lively, showed Lively naked videos of one of th

We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!

Today on the #9to5Nightmares HR podcast, hosts Amy Warren and Micole Garatti discuss Influencer Misconduct!

Influencers share a LOT of problematic content

Last week, Fama published new The State of Influencer Misconduct in 2024 research which showed 47% of influencers shared problematic content online. The most common influencer misconduct included trolling audiences, intolerance and bigotry, and sexually explicit content. Even worse, 15% of influencers were even found making threats online! No wonder 70% of brands are worried about brand safety when working with influencers! 

Top Influencer scandals of 2024

#1. Many misconduct allegations against MrBeast companies 

MrBeast, one of YouTube’s largest creators, has faced allegations of workplace misconduct within his companies. More than one of his close friends and collaborators has, including Ava Tyson and Karl Jacobs, were accused of sending inappropriate messages to a minor. Former employees have claimed that the work environment was toxic and ripe with misconduct. MrBeast’s new game show has also been accused of toxic working environments, including providing participants with “insufficient food or medical care.” MrBeast has denied the allegations and hired a 3rd party law firm to investigate the claims. The law firm reported isolated instances of misconduct and harassment but not rampant sexual misconduct.  

#2. #Scandoval leads to bar closing and Vanderpump Rules recast 

The #Scandoval scandal erupted when Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval was exposed for having a months-long affair with co-star Raquel Leviss while in a long-term relationship with her best friend, Ariana Madix. The fallout severely impacted Sandoval’s reputation and business ventures, including his brand new bar Schwartz and Sandy’s, which faced public backlash, declining business, and eventual closure due to the controversy. The scandal reignited public interest in Vanderpump Rules, prompting a reboot aimed at revitalizing the series with a more cohesive cast and fresh storylines.

#3. Dr Disrespect dropped after sexual misconduct with a minor 

Dr Disrespect, a prominent streamer, was permanently banned from Twitch in 2020 due to allegations of inappropriate conduct, though the platform did not initially disclose specific details. Earlier this year, reports emerged that Twitch's decision was linked to allegations of Dr Disrespect communicating inappropriately with a minor through the platform. Since the news came out, several additional brands have cut ties with him and &