Recording Academy CEO put on leave after "allegation of misconduct"
New CEO of the Recording Academy Deborah Dugah has been put on administrative leave after a “formal allegation of misconduct,” just ten days before the Grammys air.
Board chair Harvey Mason, Jr. is stepping in temporarily to cover the president’s role.
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According to a statement given to Variety, the decision comes during an investigation into the accusation and will remain till it concludes.
“In light of concerns raised to the Recording Academy Board of Trustees, including a formal allegation of misconduct by a senior female member of the Recording Academy team, the Board has placed Recording Academy president and CEO Deborah Dugan on administrative leave, effective immediately” the statement says. “The Board has also retained two independent third-party investigators to conduct independent investigations of the allegations.”
Mason will remain the interim president until everything has concluded and a decision has been made.
“The Board determined this action to be necessary in order to restore the confidence of the Recording Academy’s Membership, repair Recording Academy employee morale, and allow the Recording Academy to focus on its mission of serving all music creators.”
As far as the Grammys go, Mason said in an email that no plans for the event have changed.
“Recording Academy operations will proceed as normal … and the Grammy Awards and all related activities will go forward as planned.”
The Academy has not released names or the exact nature of the complaint, but according to NBC News, Dugan was accused of having a “bullying management style.”
“What has been reported is not nearly the story that needs to be told,” said Dugan’s attorney Bryan J. Freedman in an email to NBC. “When our ability to speak is not restrained by a 28-page contract and legal threats, we will expose what happens when you ‘step up’ at the Recording Academy, a public nonprofit,”
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Billie Eilish is up for nearly an entire room full of awards. Eilish is nominated for Best New Artist, Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for her 2019 album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? She’s also up for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance “Bad Guy.”
What are your thoughts about the CEO of the Recording Academy being put on administrative leave? Let us know in the comments down below!
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