Academy Prez Faces Multiple Claims of Sexual Harassment

John Bailey being investigated by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 16, 2018 6:51 PM CDT
Academy Prez Faces Multiple Claims of Sexual Harassment
John Bailey arrives at the 90th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton hotel on Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif.   (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

The man overseeing the Academy's response to the #MeToo movement is now facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment, sources tell Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences opened a probe into its president, John Bailey, Wednesday after receiving three harassment claims regarding him. Neither Bailey, who was elected to a four-year term in August, nor the Academy are commenting on the nature of the allegations. “The Academy treats any complaints confidentially to protect all parties," the Academy says in a statement. "We will not comment further on such matters until the full review is completed.” The 75-year-old Bailey is a cinematographer who shot Groundhog Day and The Big Chill, among others.

In an email following the ouster of Harvey Weinstein over sexual misconduct allegations in October, Bailey told members that "the Academy cannot, and will not, be an inquisitorial court but we can be part of a larger initiative to define standards of behavior, and to support the vulnerable," the Los Angeles Times reports. In January, the Academy adopted a new code of conduct that allows for the expulsion of members for abuse, harassment, or discrimination. If Bailey ends up being removed by the Academy over these allegations, he would be replaced by makeup artist and Academy vice president Lois Burwell until an election in July. (More Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stories.)

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