In response to a lawsuit from five former members of the Buffalo Jills, the Jills have done what any wrongfully accused organization would do in a situation like this.
Not permanently. But until further notices. That’s the reaction, according to the Buffalo News, from Stejon Productions Corp, which manages the group.
The move comes not long after 35 members were selected for the newest installment of the Bills’ cheerleading squad. Stephanie Mateczun, the president of Stejon Productions Corp., told the Buffalo News that the move happened in response to the lawsuit.
But Mateczun said nothing more; she’ll be making a statement “when the time is right.”
“I‘d like nothing more than to state our side of the story, but it would be inappropriate to do so while in litigation,” she said.
That’s a cop out. She’ll be stating her case in the context of the litigation, sooner rather than later. There’s no reason to refrain from launching a pre-emptive public defense, especially in light of the P.R. fallout from the strong allegations contained in the lawsuit.
In situations like this, the court of public opinion will issue a verdict quickly. When a lawsuit alleging inappropriate business practices is met both with silence and a suspension of operations, the court of public opinion inevitably will deem the employer to be guilty as charged.
Meanwhile, the five women who sued will potentially be chastised and harassed by one or more of the 35 new members, who will blame not those who set up potentially illegal business practices but those who blew the whistle for the collapse of their ability to be NFL cheerleaders.