Michael Bloomberg says three women can be released from nondisclosure agreements

WASHINGTON —  Democratic presidential candidate Michael R. Bloomberg said Friday that he’s willing to release three women from non-disclosure agreements that barred them from discussing discrimination or sexual harassment lawsuits.

Bloomberg has been criticized for the dozens of lawsuits filed against his companies over the years and his use of NDAs to resolve the complaints.

The former New York City mayor in a Friday statement said his company reviewed agreements over the past 30 years and identified three women who made complaints about comments they said he made. . Bloomberg said his company will no longer use confidentiality agreements to resolve complaints going forward.

“I recognize that NDAs, particularly when they are used in the context of sexual harassment and sexual assault, promote a culture of silence in the workplace and contribute to a culture of women not feeling safe or supported,”Bloomberg said.

Reports of Bloomberg making lewd comments to women have been a talking point for his presidential opponents who have criticized him for allowing a toxic workplace for women.

During a presidential debate earlier this week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said she’s running against “a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians.”

“And no, I’m not talking about Donald Trump,” she said, “I’m talking about Michael Bloomberg.”

Bloomberg took a significant hit from the Wednesday debate. His net favorability fell 20 points in a Morning Consult poll.