I was dismayed by Alan Cooperman's March 9 front-page article ["Harassment Claims Roil Habitat for Humanity"] about unsubstantiated accu- sations against my character. He allowed my detractors to dredge up 35-year-old hearsay and unproven allegations, apparently without making an effort to talk to the large number of women I have worked with throughout my career who would have taken issue with these character attacks.
The most egregious example of misinformation in the article was the assertion that I was fired because of sexual harassment. That is false.
In a mediation session with Jimmy Carter on Aug. 23, it was agreed there was "insufficient proof" of inappropriate conduct on my part. On Aug. 26, the board of Habitat for Humanity International issued a statement to its employees, which read in part, "Regarding allegations of inappropriate personal behavior, the board appropriately took the matter very seriously and found insufficient proof of inappropriate conduct by Millard Fuller."
Further, logic would dictate that if I had been fired for sexual harassment, there would not have been cause to fire my wife, Linda.
The real reasons for firing me and Linda are that we spoke out against the false accusation to the dismay of the board and that there are serious philosophic differences between me and the board on the direction of the organization.
Habitat for Humanity has been my life's work for nearly three decades. I intend to continue that work through the affiliates.
MILLARD FULLER
Founder
Habitat for Humanity International
Americus, Ga.
