Junot Díaz Cleared by MIT After Investigation into Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Clemmons’ accusations came after Díaz published a controversial essay in The New Yorker in April, describing how he was raped as an eight-year-old child, and how the traumatic experience has led to him having frequently troubled relationships with women. While many praised the honesty of the essay, others saw the essay as an attempt to get out in front of allegations that he has mistreated women.

After extensively interviewing Díaz and his fellow faculty, and asking students with concerns to come forward, the university found no evidence of misconduct by the author. “To date, MIT has not found or received information that would lead us to take any action to restrict Professor Díaz in his role as an MIT faculty member, and we expect him to teach next academic year,” MIT said in a statement to WBUR.

Díaz continues to hold his position as the fiction editor at the Boston Review, which he has held for the last 15 years. Three poetry editors at the Boston Review quit out of protest. The Pulitzer Prize board is currently conducting an independent review of the accusations against Díaz that has not yet been resolved; the author has stepped down as the board’s chairman.

Díaz’s made a statement to The New York Times through his literary agent: “I take responsibility for my past,” he said, without referencing specific actions. “I am listening to and learning from women’s stories in this essential and overdue cultural movement. We must continue to teach all men about consent and boundaries.”