Mets GM Jared Porter accused of sexual harassment

A reporter has accused Mets general manager Jared Porter of sexually harassing her in 2016, according to ESPN. The reporter provided a text exchange between her and Porter that included dozens of unsolicited and unanswered requests from Porter, including a picture of an erect penis.

ESPN first learned of this story in 2017, when Porter worked in the front office of the Arizona Diamondbacks. At the time of the incident, Porter was working in the front office of the Chicago Cubs. The reporter, who has chosen to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution, only recently agreed to an interview after first refusing to speak with ESPN in 2017.

ESPN reached out to Porter with the accusations, and Porter did not flatly deny them.

Reached by ESPN on Monday evening, Porter acknowledged texting with the woman. He initially said he had not sent any pictures of himself. When told the exchanges show he had sent selfies and other pictures, he said that “the more explicit ones are not of me. Those are like, kinda like joke-stock images.”

After asking whether ESPN was planning to run a story, he asked for more time before later declining further comment.

Mets president Sandy Alderson provided an official statement in response to the ESPN story, writing:

“I have spoken directly with Jared Porter regarding events that took place in 2016 of which we were made aware tonight for the first time. Jared has acknowledged to me his serious error in judgement, has taken responsibility for his conduct, has expressed remorse, and has previously apologized for his actions.

The Mets take these matters seriously, expect professional and ethical behavior from all of our employees, and certainly do not condone the conduct described in your story. We will follow up as we review the facts regarding this serious issue.”

The Mets hired Porter as their GM last December after parting ways with Brodie Van Wagenen.