The former employees expressed their anger in their letter that the leaders of the Lincoln Project had characterized the reports of the group’s handling of Mr. Weaver’s behavior as a hit by supporters of former President Donald J. Trump.
Insinuating that their efforts amounted to a right-wing attack, they wrote, “is inconsistent with the values we have signed to uphold, and resembles the tactics and behavior we have used at the Lincoln Project to defeat.”
Over the past year, the Lincoln Project has established itself as the leading Republican group against Mr. Trump, peppering him with mocking ads and a large following on the left. But since the election, the group has fragmented. Two former board members, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid, left in December. George T. Conway III, another key figure in the organization, has also left.
Ms. Horn said in her statement, “When the New York Times report on Weaver came out recently, I received calls from some of the victims who shared very disturbing stories about their interactions with him – interactions that apparently began nearly a year ago and, according to this young men were communicated with others in the Lincoln Project. “
She added, “I was not aware of these messages or the allegations contained in them.”
She said the young men “spoke of feeling ignored” and “hurt that their experiences were being denied, angry that they had been used and lied to, and were afraid they would be targeted again. It was heartbreaking to hear. “
The Lincoln Project has attributed Ms. Horn’s departure to a money dispute, saying she had recently requested “an immediate ‘signing bonus’ payment of $ 250,000 and a consulting contract of $ 40,000 per month,” and that she had “demanded a seat in the Lincoln Project board, a television show, a podcast hosting assignment, and a staff to manage these efforts.”
Ms. Horn called the claims that her departure was financially motivated “blatantly false”.