Recording Academy CEO Placed On Administrative Leave Days Before Grammys
Recording Academy president and CEO Deborah Duga has abruptly been placed on administrative leave just five months after taking the job and days before the 2020 Grammy Awards.
Official Recording Academy Statement:
“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 Board has also retained two independent third-party investigators to conduct independent investigations of the allegations.”
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. Board Chair Harvey Mason Jr. will serve as interim President and CEO pending the conclusion of the investigation.”
Dueling reports describe very different motivations behind the ouster.
One narrative describes Duga’s removal as a “coup” led by entrenched employees and board members resistant to change bothered by her aggressive management style. “Who are most of the senior executives in the Academy and the board? Older people resistant to change,” an insider told Variety. “It was too much change for them, too soon.”
Another source claims to have detailed information about the alleged misconduct which included at least one female employee making claims of discrimination against Dugan and sexual-harassment charges involving another.
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