12 Workplace Scandals Making Headlines in May 2025

In today's hyper-connected world, a single social media post can unravel a career in hours. Whether it’s an explicit threat or a racist group chat, online misconduct isn’t just personal. It has significant professional consequences, as well. 

Seyi Akiwowo, a women's rights activist known for her efforts to end online abuse, joined the World Health Organization for a conversation about the growth of online sexual harassment in the workplace. She explains how the shift to remote and hybrid working has exacerbated the risks and also describes how online abuse is significantly harder to detect, confront, and report compared to traditional workplace settings.

Fama’s research has found similar results. The digital trail people leave behind is now one of the clearest windows into how they show up in the world and whether they will be a culture fit, add, or risk to an organization. 

This month, we’re focusing on the headlines that prove it.

12 Workplace Misconduct Scandals 

1. Ex-Kohl’s CEO posted LinkedIn video of lover 3 months before scandal broke: ‘No wonder you got exposed’

Former Kohl’s CEO Ashley Buchanan was fired after an internal investigation uncovered a highly unusual multimillion-dollar contract linked to a personal relationship he failed to disclose. Buchanan had steered the company into business with a vendor founded by his romantic partner, Chandra Holt, on terms unusually favorable to the vendor, including a lucrative consulting agreement with Boston Consulting Group, where Holt was part of the team. The scandal intensified when it was revealed that just three months before the news broke, Buchanan had posted a LinkedIn video promoting Holt’s collagen coffee startup, IncrediBrew. Both were terminated on the same day—Buchanan from Kohl’s and Holt from BCG—for failing to disclose the conflict. (New York Post)

2. Teacher repeatedly threatens Trump, sparking investigation, Maine officials say

In a series of incendiary Facebook posts, an English teacher at Waterville Senior High School in Maine called on the U.S. Secret Service to "take out every single person who supports Trump's illegal, immoral, unconstitutional acts." She further stated, "If I had the skill set required, I would take them out myself," and emphasized that she was making the post public intentionally, asserting, "I'm making this post public for a reason, I promise you". (Miami Herald)

3. Houston Fire Cadets Terminated over 'Racist' Posts on Social Media Group Chat

“While 39 cadets in the Houston Fire Department Training Academy passed state tests, only 27 graduated last week. The other dozen were fired just days before becoming firefighters after sharing racist posts on social media. After a member of the class made officers aware of the rude posts, the entire group was confronted. No one admitted to being involved, KHOU reported.” (Firehouse)

4. Case filed against Mangaluru dietician for anti-national, anti-Hindu posts

A dietitian at Mangaluru’s Highland Hospital in Karnataka was booked after she allegedly made discriminatory posts on social media. She reportedly wrote “help stinky Hindus are behind me” in a post on X, sparking widespread outrage among citizens and social media users. (India Today)

5. Hospice nurse fired after granddaughter shares video of alleged misconduct

“A hospice nurse has been fired after a Facebook video posted by the granddaughter of a terminally ill man allegedly caught the nurse verbally abusing him inside HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care on Main Street in Providence.

Aryanna Pecoraro said she was visiting her 69-year-old grandfather, John Carney, during the early morning hours of May 3 when she overheard a nurse speaking aggressively to him through the closed door of his room. Carney had been admitted to the hospice center on April 30 and was in the late stages of emphysema.

‘I hear her say to my grandfather, ‘I’m not coming back into this room. I don’t care if you fall out of the bed onto the floor. I’m tired of your BS,’ Pecoraro said in an interview with NBC 10. ‘She also mocked him while he groaned in pain. I couldn’t believe someone could be that cruel to a person who couldn’t defend himself.’” (NBC 10 WJAR)

6. Prosecutor fired over alleged racist and sexist social media posts

“Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen said that Assistant District Attorney Berkley Mason was fired after her office learned on Monday that he used a social media account to post statements like, ‘What ever reason we can make up to get as many of them out as possible…. Whatever means necessary.’

Posts and reposts on X, formerly known as Twitter, reviewed by Knox News before the account was deleted included praise of Nazism and xenophobic content.” (MSN) 

7. Smokey Robinson Sexual Assault Investigation Opened as Singer's Attorney Slams 'Desperate Attempt' 

“Smokey Robinson is now being investigated for sexual assault after in light of the allegations leveled against him in a $50 million lawsuit filed by four former housekeepers…

The women, who all remained anonymous, claimed that Robinson ‘repeatedly forced his fingers and penis into their vaginas, causing severe and excruciating pain’ without consent, according to the complaint. They also alleged he [used] ‘physical barriers, force, threats of force’ and more to stop them from leaving during the alleged assaults, like locking the door.” (People)

8. Ravens release kicker Justin Tucker, who was accused of sexual misconduct by 16 women 

"Their allegations are largely similar to those of the women who came forward earlier, including that he had an erection for most of the massage, intentionally and repeatedly exposed his genitals and brushed some of the therapists’ thighs with his fingers. One of the seven new women said he left what appeared to be ejaculate on the massage table after his session." (Yahoo Sports) 

9. Super Retail executives dragged into alleged CEO affair stoush 

“Super Retail Group’s most senior executives allegedly complained that the company’s chief executive, Anthony Heraghty, was in a secret relationship with the former head of human resources, but had their concerns ignored.

The new claims are contained in Federal Court documents filed by Super Retail’s former legal chief, Rebecca Farrell, who is suing the company alongside her one-time co-worker Amelia Berczelly, accusing it of bullying, harassment, the misuse of funds and failing to provide a safe workplace.” (Financial Review) 

10. ‘Wildly Inappropriate Behavior’: Real Estate Group Is Accused of Cover-ups 

Craig Steinley, former president and current vice president of the Appraisal Institute, has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct over the past decade, including unwanted touching and inappropriate comments. Cindy Chance, the Institute’s former CEO, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit claiming Steinley groped her and made lewd remarks. She alleges she was fired after reporting his behavior and approving a settlement related to the allegations. (New York Times)

11. More than 100 Amtrak employees involved in fraudulent insurance scheme, watchdog says

“At least 119 current and former Amtrak employees conspired with New York medical professionals to swindle the company's health care plan out of over $12 million, the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General said in a report released Tuesday of what it described as the largest employee conspiracy it has ever investigated.” (CBS News) 

12. Fama Findings: Misconduct in the Wild

A clear pattern we continue to observe is how public online footprints reveal warning signs well before misconduct surfaces in the workplace. Whether it’s hate speech, harassment, or other risky behavior, these digital clues allow organizations a chance to act early and prevent incidents that could escalate into headline-making problems.

Every month, Fama’s screenings uncover real examples of risks organizations can’t afford to ignore. Here’s a real example uncovered in a recent Fama screening:

“A candidate was arrested in a sting operation for soliciting prostitution after texting and meeting up with an undercover officer.”

It’s heartbreaking to see the continuous headlines of misconduct scandals in the news. These headlines aren’t just cautionary tales, they are reminders of why fair, compliant, and proactive screening matters. Learn how Fama helps you do just that. For a deeper look at the trends shaping online misconduct and its impact on the workplace, check out our The State of Misconduct at Work in 2024. And if you're into real-world stories that explore how misconduct plays out across industries, listen to our #9to5Nightmares podcast.