The founder of a major US PR and management company has resigned from his own company after he was accused of sexual harassment by several female musicians and industry figures.
As Billboard reports, in a series of tweets sent out Monday, Dirty Projectors vocalist Amber Coffman accused Life or Death PR and Management founder Heathcliff Berru of sexual harassment.
Coffman recounted an incident that took place “a couple” of years ago, when Berru “RUBBED my ass and BIT my hair at a bar” in front of several of Coffman’s friends.
Soon after Coffman issued the tweets, several other female musicians, including Best Coast frontwoman Bethany Cosentino, claimed to have been harassed by Berru as well.
Late Tuesday afternoon US time, Life or Death announced that Berru had stepped down from his position as CEO, citing their zero tolerance policy for the kind of behaviour described in the allegations.
“We take these allegations very seriously,” a statement read. “The men and women who make up this company do not, and will not, condone or tolerate any conduct described in the on-line postings.”
Was just re-telling/re-remembering a story abt how a very popular music publicist RUBBED my ass and BIT my hair at a bar a couple years ago
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
This was someone I barely knew and had just met. He did it in front of 4 of my male friends. Still makes me so damn mad thinking about it
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
Still mad at myself as well for not punching him in the nose, but I totally froze up. Weird survival instinct I guess
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
It was Heathcliff Berru, at Life or Death PR and MGMT
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
“We are taking measures to ensure that the alleged behavior did not, and will not, make its way into company operations or impact our commitment to promoting art and assisting our clients.”
“We are grateful to Heathcliff Berru for all the work he’s done to date and his creative vision at the company. We appreciate and support his decision to step down as CEO of Life Or Death.”
Coffman has since claimed that when she informed Dirty Projectors’ label, Domino Records, of the incident, the company stopped working with Life or Death.
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“Domino records asked me what I wanted them to do at the time- I said I couldn’t make that decision for them. They made their own decision,” Coffman tweeted.
Meanwhile, Cosentino thanked Coffman for “bravely speaking the truth… I’m glad someone finally spoke up”. Little Empire Music’s Christy Merriner and musician Roxy Lange also shared details of their experiences with Berru.
Life or Death clients Wavves and DIIV have both posted tweets saying they will no longer be working with the company, who also represent Killer MIke, D’Angelo, Of Montreal, and Odd Future.
DIIV will no longer be working with Life or Death PR.
— DIIV (@DIIV) January 19, 2016
. @HeathcliffB @LifeorDeathPR pic.twitter.com/1G0km0Liw6
— WAVVES (@wavves) January 19, 2016