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Today we published our yearlong investigation into Tony Robbins’ empire.
During our reporting, lawyers for Robbins worked to shut this story down and made legal threats against two people accused of speaking with us.
Here's more of what happened behind the scenes.
During our reporting, lawyers for Robbins worked to shut this story down and made legal threats against two people accused of speaking with us.
Here's more of what happened behind the scenes.
One staffer accused of speaking with us received a letter warning that if he did not retract, his life would be “forever changed.” He also received text messages from a former colleague asking him to pass on information about BuzzFeed News, with the promise of a "reward."
Gary King, Robbins’ former head of security and one of the people we spoke to, was told that he had 48 hours to recant his story or face damages which could “easily be tens of millions of dollars.”
King received more letters from the lawyers, with one saying “We are informed that Mr. King met with BuzzFeed reporter, Jane Bradley, last week in Florida."
King's lawyer replied the threats triggered King's PTSD. The firm replied he had “no one to blame other than himself.”
King's lawyer replied the threats triggered King's PTSD. The firm replied he had “no one to blame other than himself.”
Since at least 2007, Robbins has worked with Hollywood megafirm Lavely & Singer. The firm’s client list includes Scarlett Johansson, Bill Cosby, and Charlie Sheen. Its founder once told the New York Times its “goal is to try to kill the story.”
Lavely & Singer worked to protect Robbins last year when video emerged of him calling #MeToo an excuse for some women to “try and get significance.” The firm sent a letter to a woman who posted the video, warning it was a violation of the agreement she signed to enter the event.
When BuzzFeed News sent Robbins a letter seeking his comment eight days before publication, Lavely & Singer said it had not been given enough time to respond fully, but accused us of pursuing a “predetermined” narrative against Robbins “as part of their ‘Me Too’ Agenda.”
Despite their fear of Robbins, some of the people we spoke with were still determined to come forward with their stories. “Knowing I knew all that stuff that went on and I didn’t do anything about it? I couldn’t function like that.” buzzfeednews.com/article/janebr…
