CEO Yanni Hufnagel Sexual Harassment Allegations Fact-checked (2024)

Yanni Hufnagel claims to be an American entrepreneur and former college basketball coach. He was born on August 26, 1982. In Atlanta, he established The Lemon Perfect Company, which is well-known for its improved water line.

Yanni was an assistant coach for several basketball teams before founding Lemon Perfect, including the California Golden Bears, Nevada Wolf Pack, Harvard Crimson, and Vanderbilt Commodores.

Despite being known for his recruiting skills in college basketball, Yanni faced allegations of sexual harassment and was dismissed from his coaching position.

Now, he’s focused on rebranding himself and gaining recognition for Lemon Perfect. The brand received a significant boost when Beyoncé featured a bottle of Lemon Perfect in one of her Instagram posts.

Hufnagel’s Lemon Perfect receives $31 million in Series A funding because Beyonce

Lemon Perfect, the zero-sugar, cold-pressed lemon water brand, has hit a major financial milestone with the backing of music sensation Beyoncé.

The company, currently valued at $100 million, successfully raised $31 million in its Series A funding round, thanks to Beyoncé’s support. Known for her investments in socially conscious ventures, Beyoncé found alignment with Lemon Perfect’s mission.

In a statement, Beyoncé expressed her endorsement, saying, “I don’t typically enjoy drinks without added sugar, but Lemon Perfect is delicious. It was an easy decision to invest in something that not only tastes great and is healthy but also, and most importantly, allows choosing a healthier lifestyle to be affordable and accessible to everyone.”

Yanni Hufnagel, CEO, and founder of Lemon Perfect, expressed gratitude, stating, “We are honored and humbled that Beyoncé has become a part of the Lemon Perfect family. She is a worldwide icon whose talent, character, and positivity are unsurpassed.” With this significant funding, Lemon Perfect is poised for further growth and impact in the beverage industry.

Yanni Hufnagel was Fired for Harassing a Female Reporter

Yanni Hufnagel faced termination as an assistant basketball coach at Cal following an internal university investigation that uncovered inappropriate conduct towards a female reporter covering the team.

The investigation revealed a pattern where Hufnagel persistently pursued the reporter, attempting to coerce her into meeting at his apartment and suggesting enhanced access in exchange for participating in a three-way encounter with him and a friend.

His dismissal was a result of violating the university’s sexual harassment policy, and he is now prohibited from accompanying the team on any future NCAA Tournament trips, despite the Golden Bears holding the No. 4 seed in the South Region.

The female reporter reported a series of inappropriate communications and behaviors by Hufnagel between November 2014 and May 2015. Cal’s Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination conducted an investigation prompted by her complaint. The reporter alleges that Hufnagel’s antagonistic behavior as a source contributed to her job loss, citing instances where he provided false information in retaliation for rejecting his advances.

Two notable incidents from the investigation include an attempt by Hufnagel to “trick” the woman into going upstairs after a business meeting in January 2015 and explicit text messages in March 2015, where he offered team information while repeatedly insinuating that she should engage in a sexual encounter with him and his friend.

The basic facts are widely acknowledged. Yanni Hufnagel’s primary argument is that since they were not colleagues and the reporter did not explicitly express that his advances were unwelcome, he does not consider his flirtations to be harassment. He concedes to having a desire for a romantic relationship with the woman.

In response to the situation, Yanni Hufnagel tweeted, “Right now, our basketball team should be the only thing on your mind! My opportunity to refute a reporter’s pointless assertion will come.” The tweet was posted on March 15, 2016.

Entering his second season as an assistant coach, Yanni Hufnagel had previous coaching stints at Harvard for four years, where he played a role in developing player Jeremy Lin, and a year at Vanderbilt before joining UC Berkeley. Cuonzo Martin, the head coach at Cal, commented on the situation, saying, “You’re talking about a person who’s part of your staff and a family member. We keep making progress. Although it’s not simple, we’ll manage.”

At 33, Yanni Hufnagel became the fourth Berkeley campus worker in the past year to face allegations of sexual harassment substantiated by college investigations. The University of California is currently led by former US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano as president.

Steve Kerr Shows Support for Cal’s Coach Martin

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr took to Twitter to show his support for California coach Cuonzo Martin during a challenging period for the Golden Bears. Kerr expressed gratitude for the positive experience his son, Nick, had as a walk-on reserve guard under Martin’s guidance during the past season.

In a tweet, Kerr stated, “Huge thank you to @CuonzoMartin and @CalMensBBall for looking after my son @NickZKerr this season. Wonderful experience with wonderful folks.”

Kerr emphasized his respect for Martin both as a coach and as a positive role model for his son. Despite refraining from delving into the specifics of Cal’s situation, Kerr acknowledged the ongoing investigation into Martin’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against Yanni Hufnagel, an assistant coach.

Kerr shared his son’s positive experience with the Cal team and coaching staff, highlighting Martin’s character and mentoring qualities. He emphasized his desire to express gratitude for Cal’s season and his son’s learning opportunity, affirming Martin’s positive influence.

While acknowledging the current challenges facing the program, Kerr reiterated his support for Martin based on his firsthand knowledge of the coach’s character and mentorship, as observed through his son’s experiences.

Cuonzo Martin Asserts NCAA Tournament Will Not Be Derailed by Scandal

Cuonzo Martin, the head coach of Cal, assures that the dismissal of assistant coach Yanni Hufnagel will not overshadow or impede the Bears’ focus ahead of their NCAA tournament opener. Despite facing numerous inquiries about the issue, Martin maintains a composed demeanor, emphasizing the team’s concentration in the dressing room.

When addressing how he addressed the situation with his players, Martin emphasizes resilience and perseverance in the face of life’s challenges. He acknowledges the incident but underscores the team’s commitment to moving forward and staying focused on their current goals.

Following an internal investigation and Hufnagel’s admission to inappropriate interactions with a female reporter, the university continues to examine the circumstances, including Martin’s handling of the situation. However, Martin redirects attention to the NCAA tournament, emphasizing that the team’s performance is their primary concern at the moment.

When asked about potential consequences for his employment, Martin remains focused on his responsibilities as a coach and mentor. He prioritizes the growth and success of his players and dismisses concerns about external matters.

Despite the recent events, the players remain focused on their upcoming game against Hawaii. Martin assures that the coaching staff will collectively manage Hufnagel’s responsibilities on game day, emphasizing the positive impact he had on the team.

Martin stresses the importance of broader life discussions with his players and advises against dwelling on specific issues for an extended period. He encourages a well-rounded perspective and emphasizes the importance of moving forward.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an investigation report revealed that Yanni Hufnagel, a former assistant basketball coach at California, was fired due to allegations of sexual harassment, including sending sexually suggestive texts and attempting to manipulate a female journalist into his apartment after a game.

The university’s seven-month investigation was prompted by an email from the reporter detailing the unwanted advances, with the reporter having previously contacted head coach Cuonzo Martin to express concerns about the situation.