Disney exec suspended after child sex abuse charges filed

An executive with the Walt Disney Co. was charged with three felony counts of child sex abuse.

Jon Heely, who has been Disney’s director of music publishing since 2000, was arraigned Dec. 7 on charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child.

Heely was arrested Nov. 16 by the L.A. County Sheriff ’s Department.

Heely is accused of sexually abusing two girls about a decade ago, one when she was 15 and another when she was 11 until she was 15, according to Variety.

Disney suspended Heely Friday, the company said in a statement to Variety. “Immediately upon learning of the situation tonight, he has been suspended without pay until the matter is resolved by the courts,” the company said.

Heely pleaded not guilty to the charges and through his attorney Rob- ert Helfend denied them.

“He vehemently denies these allegations, and we will be fighting until the end to clear his name,” Helfend told Variety. “It’s a shame, that’s all I’ve got to say.”

WALT DISNEY VIA GETTY IMAGES Jon Heely, director of music publishing for Walt Disney, denies the charges against him, and his lawyer says they’ll fight to clear his name. He was arrested last month and arraigned last week.