Motion Picture Academy President John Bailey has become the latest big-name Hollywood honcho to face sexual harassment accusations.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — the organization that governs the Oscars — launched an investigation after three harassment allegations were made against Bailey on Wednesday, Variety reported Friday.
The nature of the accusations are currently unclear. The Academy addressed the report in a statement, without specifically naming Bailey.
“The Academy treats any complaints confidentially to protect all parties,” reads the statement obtained by the Daily News. “The Membership Committee reviews all complaints brought against Academy members according to our Standards of Conduct process, and after completing reviews, reports to the Board of Governors. We will not comment further on such matters until the full review is completed.”
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The 75-year-old Bailey is in his first year as president of the Academy and is the 34th person to hold that title. He was voted into the position in August, which kicked off a four-year term.
The investigation comes five months after the Academy kicked out Harvey Weinstein amid a wave of sexual harassment and assault allegations against him. His exodus was determined in a vote by Academy members.
Three claims of sexual harassment have been made against John Bailey.
(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Shortly after Weinstein was booted from the organization, Bailey issued an email to members of The Academy to assure they’d support those who believe they were victimized by their peers.
“It is up to all of us Academy members to more clearly define for ourselves the parameters of proper conduct, of sexual equality, and respect for our fellow artists throughout industry,” read Bailey’s email, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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The Academy introduced new parameters for how sexual misconduct complaints would be addressed by the organization in December. This included an online link and phone number for members to file their accusations.
The Academy’s “Standards of Conduct” state that the group is against “any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination.”
The #MeToo and Time’s Up initiatives were at the center of this year’s Academy Awards, as host Jimmy Kimmel dedicated much of his opening monologue to addressing the sexual harassment and assault that’s plagued Hollywood for years.
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Best Actress winner France McDormand, meanwhile, invited all of the female nominees in the audience to stand up during her acceptance speech and urged filmmakers to help them tell their stories.
Casey Affleck, who won Best Actor at last year’s Oscars, did not present the award for Best Actress this year. He was accused of sexual harassment by a pair of women in 2010, and ultimately settled both cases.
Lois Burwell is The Academy’s vice president and would therefore be the next in line for the President position. She would only hold that job, however, until July, when a new election would take place.
Bailey rose through the film industry as a cinematographer. Some of his most notable works include the comedy “Groundhog Day” and the 1981 Best Picture winner “Ordinary People.”
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