Vice Suspends Two Senior Executives in Sexual Misconduct Fallout
Vice Media has suspended Andrew Creighton and Mike Germano, president and chief digital officer respectively, amid continuing fallout over a New York Times investigation into sexual misconduct at the company.
The news was revealed in a memo to staff Tuesday morning, which TheWrap has obtained.
“The claims regarding Carrot’s current CEO Mike Germano will be investigated by HR with an external investigator, a process that Mike has encouraged, and Mike will be on leave until the investigation is concluded,” said company CFO Sarah Broderick said a lengthy announcement.
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Carrot is a digital ad agency founded by Germano that Vice purchased in 2013.
The company was more defiant regarding Creighton’s status, saying it took issue with much of how his story was represented in the Times article, but it empowered a “special committee” to consider the matter and make a specific recommendation on Jan. 11.
“In the meantime, Andrew has suggested, and we agree, that he remain out of the office on leave until the recommendation from the committee is made to Sr. management,” wrote Broderick.
Also Read: Vice Launches Investigation After Former Employee Accuses Ex-Editor of Sexual Harassment
A spokesperson for Vice declined to comment.
The news was first reported by the New York Times’ Emily Steel, who wrote the original Times story.
Both executives were named in the piece by the Times, covering the broader culture of sexual harassment at the company. Creighton was directly named in one of four settlements Vice paid to female accusers.
Also Read: Vice Media Executive Producer Suspended After Report of Misconduct
According to the settlement, Creighton paid $135,000 to a woman who said she was fired from the company after refusing Creighton’s sexual advances.
In addition to the suspensions, Broderick expanded on steps the company would take to improve its workplace culture, including mandatory sexual harassment training and a diversity and inclusion board. In advance of the story, the company also announced the formation of an all-woman advisory council, which includes Gloria Steinem.
“We do not tolerate harassment, abusive behavior, assault or retaliation, and we will discipline anyone who engages in such conduct,” a Vice spokesperson told TheWrap in November.
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