Warner Music exec exits after sexual misconduct claims
The fallout from sexual misconduct claims at Warner Music has claimed another scalp.
Warner Bros. Records executive VP of A&R Jeff Fenster is departing the company after an internal investigation into his behaviour, Billboard reports.
A spokesperson for Warner Music Group declined to comment specifically on Fenster’s exit, though a company statement noted, “We are grateful to a former Warner Bros. Records employee for coming forward to raise these concerns with us.” Again, the executive wasn’t specifically named.
As previously reported, a female former WMG staffer recently stepped forward to accuse Fenster and another unnamed executive of inappropriate conduct. The unidentified accuser also claimed CEO Stephen Cooper made an improper remark at a party,
An internal memo recently sent out by the head of human resources noted that “some of the allegations were found to be true,” leading to “appropriate disciplinary actions against the relevant employees,” according to Variety, which posted the statement in full. With the news overnight, it’s become apparent Fenster was the target of this disciplinary action.
“As you would expect, we treated these concerns very seriously, and appointed an independent investigator to conduct a review,” the earlier statement reads. “Some of the accusations were found to be true and, as a consequence, we are in the process of taking the appropriate disciplinary actions against the relevant employees.”
The WMG statement added, “If the disturbing news stories from the last few months have taught us anything, it’s that there is a need for lasting change at our company, in our industry, and in our society at large. We can always do better. We will continue to listen and learn about how best to provide a safe, respectful and professional environment for everyone.”
The latest development out of the U.S. comes after WMG sacked an executive at its Sweden affiliate several weeks ago following multiple serious allegations of sexually harassment.
Read WMG’s full statement here.
This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.