Arlington, Va. – – September 07, 2026 -- An independent review by the American Diabetes Association's Audit and Governance Committee (AGC) has concluded that five attendees removed from the 2026 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans on June 5 were expelled for disruptive conduct, not for the content of materials they were distributing.
Committee interviewed 28 witnesses over nearly three months
The AGC, composed of volunteer investigators drawn from clinicians, people with diabetes, healthcare providers and business leaders aligned with the ADA, conducted its inquiry over a near three-month period. Investigators interviewed 28 individuals with firsthand knowledge of the June 5 events, including the five attendees who were removed, and reviewed videos, emails, text messages, news articles and published editorials.
No evidence ADA called police; uniformed officers were contracted security
The review found no evidence that any ADA representative placed a call to the New Orleans Police Department during the incident. Individuals seen wearing NOPD uniforms were contracted employees of the event's security provider, a practice the report described as standard for large events at the venue. Onsite security personnel took appropriate actions in response to the disruptions, according to the findings.
Report flags communication gaps between staff, security and attendees
The AGC identified communication shortcomings between ADA staff, security personnel and attendees in the moments leading up to and during the disruptions.
ADA to overhaul event protocols following findings
Based on the review, the ADA said it will strengthen internal and external communications processes, clarify staff and leadership responsibilities for maintaining safe events, expand training for meeting staff and volunteers, revise policies governing Scientific Sessions and other large meetings, and reinforce its Attendee Code of Conduct.
"My hope is that now that the facts have been established, we can turn our full attention to the work ahead,