MeTooSTEM Scientist Accused Of Faking Colleague Who Died Of COVID

MeTooSTEM Scientist Accused Of Faking Colleague Who Died Of COVID

Scientist–activist caught catfishing

Neuroscientist BethAnn McLaughlin, one of science’s most-prominent campaigners against sexual harassment, has admitted to impersonating a non-existent Hopi anthropologist on Twitter and then announcing that she had died of COVID-19. In between, McLaughlin befriended scientists through the false identity, accused a scientist of sexual harassment and suggested that supporters send her money. As the leader of the MeTooSTEM activist group, McLaughlin had faced accusations of harassment, especially towards people of colour. Native American researchers decried the deception, especially given the devastating, and very real, COVID-19 death toll among some Indigenous communities in the United States.

Buzzfeed News | 10 min read