Report: Bloomberg Holding Women To Confidentiality Agreements

Media mogul and Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg told ABC News this week he
will not take any steps to release women who have signed confidentiality agreements with his company to speak publicly about past allegations that the former New York City mayor fostered a hostile work environment for some female employees.

“You can't just walk away from it,” Bloomberg said. “They're legal agreements, and for all I know the other side wouldn't want to get out of it.”

Michael Bloomberg

Last month, ABC News reported on several lawsuits in which Bloomberg was accused of making crude remarks in the 1990s and of allegedly fostering an uncomfortable environment for women to work -- allegations Bloomberg has denied. Three cases against the company remain active.

ABC News has spoken with several women who expressed interest in telling their stories who were subject to confidentiality agreements, but said they feared the prospect of facing retribution from the company for speaking out.

The report prompted Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a rival presidential candidate, last month to criticize the billionaire media mogul's use of non-disclosure agreements as “a way for people to hide bad things they've done.” Warren told reporters in Iowa “women should be able to speak" and said "when women raise concerns like this, we have to pay attention. We have to listen to them, and if Michael Bloomberg has made comments like this, then he has to answer for them."

Bloomberg offered a terse reply when asked about Warren’s remarks by reporters Wednesday night: “Maybe the senator should worry about herself and I'll worry about myself.”

Bloomberg has stepped away from his role at the helm of his media company, but maintains a large ownership stake. He said his company has built an enviable record of gender equity.