Music label chief accused of sexual harassment

NEW YORK: The head of Republic Records, one of the biggest music labels whose acts include Ariana Grande, Lorde and The Weeknd, was placed on leave after sexual harassment allegations.

Republic president Charlie Walk becomes one of the highest profile figures in pop music to be swept up in the rising #MeToo movement against workplace harassment, despite the industry’s notoriously louche reputation.

Universal Music Group said Walk had been put on leave as an outside law firm investigates the accusations against him.

The action comes two days after Tristan Coopersmith, founder of a California wellness studio for women called Life Lab, posted an open letter accusing Walk of harassment when she worked under him in the 2000s at Columbia Records, part of Sony Music.

She wrote that the married Walk made lewd comments about his sexual fantasies, grabbed her thigh under the table at business dinners and once pushed her onto his bed at an event at his home.

Bob Lefsetz, who writes an influential newsletter in the music industry, followed up with accounts by more people, both named and anonymous, who shared similar stories about Walk’s character.

Walk denies the allegations.