Danica Davidson
February 8, 2022 
Veteran voice actresses Monica Rial and Jamie Marchi have started a podcast called “In Touch.” The first episode, which is just under an hour and a half long, has been made available. Rial and Marchi explain:
“We’re setting the record straight.
Listen to our adventures in talking publicly about being sexually harassed, getting harassed online for talking publicly about being sexually harassed, getting sued for talking publicly about being sexually harassed, having that case against us get thrown out because we’re allowed to talk publicly about being sexually harassed, and the further harassment we receive for having a case against us for defamation because we talked publicly about being sexually harassed get thrown out because we’re allowed to talk about being sexually harassed.”
In 2019, Rial and Marchi publicly said they had been sexually harassed by another veteran voice actor, Vic Mignogna. Others in the industry have also made accusations of inappropriate touches and actions from Mignogna. Mignogna has been adamant that he is innocent of what he’s been accused of, saying such things as, “I have never once in the history of my life forced myself on anyone, ever. I’ve made normal advances that were either accepted or rejected, and that was that.”
Mignogna tried taking Funimation and some of the accusers to court, but the court dismissed his lawsuit with prejudice and told him to pay $223,042.42 for the defendants’ attorney fees. He was ordered to pay a further $15,000 in sanctions. In response Mignogna filed an appeal, and the defendants filed a motion to dismiss his appeal. But with COVID there has yet to be any more significant movement in the legal realm.
Rial and Marchi’s podcast page also offers official court documents for people to read, plus examples of media coverage. They note, “Now, it’s our turn to tell our side of the story.”
Source: ANN
____
Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, and its sequel, Manga Art for Intermediates, with professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
