Grammy’s Chief Denies Allegations

Breaking his silence over the latest in a string of harassment allegations, Grammy chief Michael Greene denies that he sexually assaulted and battered a female executive at the nonprofit group that sponsors the prestigious music awards.

Greene said that, although an internal investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences intends to settle the dispute to avoid a prolonged legal battle that could “cripple” the organization as it prepares to launch the Grammy telecast in February.

“Our leadership has convinced me that it is in everyone’s best interest for me to give up my right to litigate for defamation and to forgo my ability to vindicate myself, as well as the organization, through due process,” Greene wrote in a prepared statement released to the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday.

The Times reported last week that, according to four high-ranking Grammy sources, the proposed settlement sparked a boardroom insurrection with nearly a dozen of the 41 Grammy trustees privately calling for Greene’s firing.

On Thursday, Grammy Chairman Garth Fundis stated that the report of a “boardroom revolt” is “totally inaccurate--as are other reports of the imminent ousting of Mr. Greene.” In a statement, Fundis wrote: “Unless and until we are presented with evidence of misconduct, Mr. Greene deserves the support of the board of trustees, the officers and the membership of the recording academy.”

These statements follow a decision last week by the Grammy board to launch a new probe into a series of harassment allegations and to pay $650,000 to resolve sexual assault and battery claims by Grammy executive Jill Geimer.

This week, Grammy executives began interviewing private investigators. The inquiry, expected to commence next week, will focus on new allegations, by Geimer and other women, which were disclosed during recent talks to resolve Geimer’s legal claims, Grammy sources said.

One of Geimer’s attorneys, Gloria Allred, said her client “hopes that the investigation will focus on Mr. Greene’s behavior during his entire employment with the academy--and whether or not his behavior deserves the support of the board of trustees.”

The claims by Geimer are the latest in a string of internal harassment and discrimination complaints against Greene by six other employees. Several of the complaints were settled out of court. Greene denied the allegations, and an internal inquiry cleared him of any misconduct.

Greene’s alleged behavior is coming under increasing scrutiny in music industry circles.

Several top music executives expressed concerns in interviews this week about Greene’s conduct. Those executives said they are afraid to speak out against Greene because their labels are about to submit CDs for award consideration for the next Grammy telecast, and they fear possible reprisals. Greene’s position as Grammy chief includes overseeing the nomination process and helping to determine which acts are allowed to perform on the annual awards show.

Hilary Rosen, president of the Recording Industry Assn. of America, said Thursday that the nation’s five major music corporations will be monitoring the investigation and awaiting its results.

“I’m sure the Grammy board knows that everybody in the music community is watching this,” Rosen said. “I’m confident that the board is taking this investigation very seriously.”

In his statement, Greene wrote he had already cooperated with an earlier probe conducted by three law firms hired by the academy to investigate “serious charges” leveled against him by Geimer.

“At the end of the investigation, it was concluded by all three firms that the charges were absolutely without merit,” Greene wrote.

Geimer’s attorney, Allred, said Greene’s statements “are obviously self-serving and, in our opinion, they are a pathetic attempt to try to salvage his reputation.”

During settlement talks Oct. 12, Grammy officials decided to resolve the Geimer case after Geimer’s attorneys presented details involving at least two other female employees whom Greene allegedly harassed and forced out of the organization during the mid-1990s, sources said.

Grammy sources say Greene will pay nearly half of the $650,000 settlement, with a sexual misconduct liability insurance policy covering most of the remainder. Grammy sources say the nonprofit academy is expected to contribute about $50,000.

Grammy Chairman Fundis said “the proposed settlement between the Recording Academy, its president, Michael Greene, and Jill Geimer is a private personnel matter and, as such, will not be discussed with the press.”