Crossover thrash group Iron Reagan have fired their bassist Robert Skotis after several allegations of sexual misconduct and alleged predatory behavior were made against him online. These allegations were made on Twtter on January 12, and resurfaced again after the restaurant/bar business he was affiliated with cut their ties with him the following day.

The claims allege that “Rob assaulted someone on tour in Philly”, and also stated “lucky for the ladies, if you get drunk in Cobra Cabana and need a bathroom, he’ll invite you up and let you use his. The predatory behavior continues.”

Rob assaulted someone on tour in Philly. She came out about it and people in the hardcore scene here started to talk about it. His bandmades intimidated her back into silence, but other people started to come out about similar experiences.

— Shit Bosses of Richmond (@RVA_Restaurants) January 12, 2020

So now he owns a bar, and lives above it. And lucky for the ladies, if you get drunk in Cobra Cabana and need a bathroom, he’ll invite you up and let you use his. The predatory behavior continues.

— Shit Bosses of Richmond (@RVA_Restaurants) January 12, 2020

This is something of an open secret around the restaurant and hardcore scenes. People know, and protect him because they like the scene or whatever. Let’s not.

Avoid Cobra Cabana.
Enjoy your Sunday!

— Shit Bosses of Richmond (@RVA_Restaurants) January 12, 2020

The accuser also made a serious allegation that his “bandmades intimidated her back into silence,” a claim which the band has vehemently denied. Iron Reagan released a statement explaining that Skotis was let go in response, and explained that they encourage him to make a statement to “clarify this situation.”

“Effectively immediately Robert Skotis is no longer an active member of Iron Reagan. We apologize for our delayed response to the allegations against him and hope we haven’t caused any further harm by not responding until now. We do not condone predatory behavior and would not knowingly associate ourselves with someone we felt was a threat or a danger to anyone,” the band said in a statement. “We encourage Rob to make a public statement to clarify this situation to us and the rest of the world.”

Skotis called the allegations baseless, and stated that it was a smear campaign against local businesses. Read his full statement below:

“Dearest friends,

As some of you know, I have recently been blindsided by a baseless attack from an anonymous twitter account. This is a nameless and faceless account, whose sole purpose is to smear local RVA business owners.

Unfortunately, this slanderous accusation has created enough noise to cause me to be alienated from my beloved restaurant, and compelled me to at least temporarily step back from my role in Iron Reagan.

This entire episode has been unspeakably painful and confusing. The one thing I can say with absolute certainty is that no part of this allegation is true.

I strongly encourage everybody to consider the source of these fabrications and ask that you do not rush to judgement. Thank you friends and family, for continuing to support me through this difficult time.

Love Rob“

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat