On January 21, 2020, Wigdor LLP filed a Charge of Discrimination with the EEOC on behalf of Deborah Dugan, the former CEO and President of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the “Recording Academy” or, simply, the “Academy”) in connection with her claims of unlawful gender discrimination, sexual harassment, unlawful retaliation and unequal pay against the Academy.
Ms. Dugan became the Recording Academy’s first female CEO and President in August 2019, according to the EEOC Charge. As alleged, from the outset of her employment with the Academy, Ms. Dugan complained about and attempted to remedy the lack of diversity, sexual harassment and other gender-based improprieties at the Academy. On December 22, 2019, as alleged, Ms. Dugan sent an email complaint to HR detailing a slew of issues arising out of the Academy’s “boys’ club” mentality and approach to governance, including, among other things:
- Sexual harassment committed against her by Joel Katz, an attorney who is general counsel to the Academy and a former member and Chair of the Academy’s Board of Trustees (“the Board”);
- Egregious conflicts of interest arising out of the fact that attorneys that represent the Academy also represent individual Board members and members of the Board’s Executive Committee;
- Improper self-dealing by Board members, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments to themselves for work that was either unnecessary or that was already being performed by outside vendors; and
- Voting irregularities and conflicts with respect to nominations for Grammy Awards.
In addition, Ms. Dugan’s email also complained that she had been asked by the Academy to hire her predecessor Neil Portnow as a consultant for $750,000 after it became aware of allegations that he raped a female recording artist, as set forth in the Charge.
In response to her complaints, as alleged, the Academy unlawfully retaliated against Ms. Dugan by placing her on administrative leave only after she indicated her intent to commence legal action and refused to settle her claims on terms dictated by the Academy. The Charge alleges that the Academy further retaliated against Ms. Dugan by threatening her with termination and publishing false and defamatory statements about Ms. Dugan to the media.
Moreover, as set forth in the Charge, on January 20, 2020, the Academy’s interim CEO and President Harvey Mason Jr. penned and published a false, retaliatory and defamatory letter designed to “get out in front” of this Charge and further destroy Ms. Dugan’s reputation.
BREAKING: Wigdor LLP has filed a Charge of Discrimination with the EEOC on behalf of Deborah Dugan against the Recording Academy (the Grammys). Below is a statement from her attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and Michael J. Willemin.#DeborahDugan #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/46CxukAT2V
— WigdorLaw (@WigdorLaw) January 21, 2020
Ms. Dugan is represented by Wigdor LLP Founding Partner Douglas H. Wigdor and Partner Michael J. Willemin.
Statement from Douglas H. Wigdor and Michael J. Willemin:
“The complaint that we filed today against the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammys) highlights tactics reminiscent of those deployed by individuals defending Harvey Weinstein. As we allege, the attempt by the Recording Academy to impugn the character of Deborah Dugan is a transparent effort to shift the focus away from its own unlawful activity. This blatant form of retaliation in corporate America is all too common, even post #MeToo, and we will utilize all lawful means necessary to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
Read the Full EEOC Charge Here
NPR
“Grammy Awards Will Take Place Under A Cloud Of Allegations”
January 24, 2020
Above the Law
“Biglaw Partner Accused Of Sexual Harassment By Former Grammys CEO”
January 22, 2020
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The Atlantic
“The Grammys Controversy Is Bigger Than Any One CEO”
January 23, 2020
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The A.V. Club
“Deborah Dugan files new charges that cite an attempt to influence Grammy nominations”
March 3, 2020
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BBC
“Ousted Grammy Awards boss Deborah Dugan makes corruption claims”
January 22, 2020
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Billboard
“Expelled Recording Academy CEO Says ‘Grammy Voting Process Is Ripe With Corruption’: Here’s How”
January 21, 2020
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Billboard
“Grammy Chief Deborah Dugan’s Shocking Memo to Recording Academy HR Director: Read in Full”
January 21, 2020
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Billboard
“Recording Academy Diversity Task Force Issues Blistering Statement in Wake of Deborah Dugan Allegations”
January 24, 2020
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Billboard
“Former Grammys Chief Deborah Dugan Files New Charges Against Recording Academy”
March 3, 2020
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CBS News
“Suspended Grammys CEO alleges corruption, says former CEO was accused of rape”
January 22, 2020
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CNN
“Former Grammys head Deborah Dugan sues recording academy, alleges sexual harassment”
January 22, 2020
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The Daily Beast
“Deborah Dugan Files Discrimination Complaint Against Recording Academy After Termination”
January 21, 2020
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Daily Mail
“Grammys boss Deborah Dugan files a discrimination complaint alleging she was ousted from the Academy after complaining of sexual harassment and pay disparities”
January 22, 2020
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Deadline Hollywood
“Ousted Recording Academy Chief Deborah Dugan Files Sexual Harassment & Gender Bias Labor Claim, Calls Grammy Voting Process ‘Ripe With Corruption'”
January 21, 2020
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Deadline Hollywood
“Fired Recording Academy Chief Deborah Dugan Adds Retaliation Charges To Her EEOC Claims”
March 3, 2020
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E! Online
“Grammys CEO Deborah Dugan Files Discrimination Complaint Against Recording Academy”
January 21, 2020
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ELLE
“The Biggest Grammys Drama Is Unfolding Offstage. Here’s What You Need To Know About Deborah Dugan’s Lawsuit.”
January 23, 2020
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Entertainment Weekly
“Ousted Grammys CEO Deborah Dugan sues Recording Academy, claims retaliation for exposing ‘boys club'”
January 21, 2020
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Esquire
“The Recording Academy Voting Controversy Questions the Integrity of the Grammy Awards”
January 22, 2020
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Fox Business
“Grammy’s female CEO sues Recording Academy over her dismissal”
January 21, 2020
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Fox News
“Ousted Grammys CEO Deborah Dugan accuses former Recording Academy chief Neil Portnow of raping female artist: reports”
January 22, 2020
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The Guardian
“Suspended Grammys chief Deborah Dugan alleges sexual misconduct in Recording Academy”
January 22, 2020
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The Hollywood Reporter
“Deborah Dugan Files Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Complaint Against Recording Academy Over Ouster”
January 21, 2020
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The Hill
“Grammy Awards edge closer to ‘existential crisis’ with latest controversies”
January 27, 2020
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The Hollywood Reporter
“Attorneys for Ousted Recording Academy Chief Deborah Dugan Call for Her Reinstatement”
January 26, 2020
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The Hollywood Reporter
“Deborah Dugan Ramps Up Retaliation Complaint After Recording Academy Termination”
March 3, 2020
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HuffPost
“Deborah Dugan Tried To Fix The Grammys. Instead She Says She Was ‘Ruined’ By A Boys Club.”
January 24, 2020
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Jezebel
“Grammys Chief Rips Racist and Sexist Academy’s ‘Boys’ Club’ in Filed Complaint”
January 22, 2020
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Los Angeles Magazine
“Explosive Claims About Sexual Assault and Voting Irregularities Cast a Pall Over the Grammys”
January 22, 2020
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Los Angeles Times
“Deborah Dugan alleges sexual harassment and gender discrimination against Recording Academy”
January 21, 2020
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Los Angeles Times
“Column: When you oust the first female president of Grammys, she will burn down the house”
January 23, 2020
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Los Angeles Times
“At pre-Grammy parties for rising stars and power players, ‘Dugan-gate’ is talk of the town”
January 24, 2020
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Los Angeles Times
“Past colleagues stand with Deborah Dugan against bullying claims by Recording Academy”
January 25, 2020
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Los Angeles Times
“Recording Academy proposes new diversity initiatives after outcry over Dugan allegations”
January 26, 2020
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Los Angeles Times
“On eve of Grammys, ousted CEO Deborah Dugan has no regrets: ‘I had to defend myself’”
January 26, 2020
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Law360
“Ousted Grammy Prez Says BigLaw Atty Sexually Harassed Her”
January 21, 2020
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NBC News
“Grammy Awards chief files discrimination complaint against Recording Academy”
January 21, 2020
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NBC News
“Billie Eilish’s Grammys and Tyler, the Creator’s critiques suggest Deborah Dugan was right”
January 27, 2020
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NPR
“Ousted Female Chief Files Discrimination Complaint Against The Grammys”
January 21, 2020
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NPR
“The Cloud Over The Grammys: Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct, Vote Rigging”
January 24, 2020
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New York Daily News
“Suspended Grammy boss Deborah Dugan says she was sexually harassed by former chairman who called her ‘baby’ and tried to kiss her”
January 21, 2020
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New York Post
“Deborah Dugan claims Grammys board tried to rehire her predecessor, Neil Portnow”
January 21, 2020
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The New York Times
“Grammys Chief Calls Her Removal Retaliation for Exposing ‘Boys’ Club’”
January 21, 2020
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The New York Times
“How the Grammys and Deborah Dugan Went From Hello to War in 5 Months”
January 23, 2020
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The New York Times
“Can the Grammys Be Trusted?”
January 25, 2020
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The New York Times
“Alicia Keys Seems to Reference Grammys Turmoil in Speech”
January 26, 2020
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People
“Recording Academy Head Files Complaint After Being Placed on ‘Administrative Leave’ Days Before Grammys”
January 21, 2020
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People
“DJ Khaled Supports Diddy Calling Out the Recording Academy: ‘We Always Have to Do Better'”
January 27, 2020
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Philadelphia Inquirer
“Grammys CEO says she was ousted after reporting harassment”
January 21, 2020
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Pitchfork
“Every Allegation in Former Grammy Chief Deborah Dugan’s Recording Academy Complaint”
January 21, 2020
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Refinery29
“Are The Grammys Corrupt? New Complaint Alleges Major Issues With The Recording Academy”
January 22, 2020
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Rolling Stone
“Former Grammys Chief Deborah Dugan Sues Recording Academy, Claiming Sexual Harassment”
January 21, 2020
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The Recorder
“Greenberg Shareholder Accused of Sexual Harassment by Ousted Grammys Chief”
January 21, 2020
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Slate
“What Is Going On With the Grammys?”
January 22, 2020
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TheWrap
“Ousted Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan Files Explosive Discrimination Complaint With EEOC”
January 21, 2020
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TheWrap
“Recording Academy CEO Promises Diversity, but Deborah Dugan Calls It ‘Smoke and Mirrors’”
January 26, 2020
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TheWrap
“Deborah Dugan Presents New Evidence of Attempt to ‘Influence’ Grammy Nominations”
March 3, 2020
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TIME
“How the Grammys Descended Into Behind-the-Scenes Chaos”
January 24, 2020
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USA Today
“Ousted Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan Files Explosive Discrimination Complaint With EEOC”
January 21, 2020
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Vanity Fair
“Are the Grammys Really Going to Happen on Sunday?”
January 21, 2020
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Variety
“Ex-Grammy Boss Neil Portnow Accused of Raping Female Artist in Blockbuster Complaint From Ousted CEO”
January 21, 2020
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Variety
“Deborah Dugan Fires Back at Recording Academy, Cites Evidence of Alleged Attempts to ‘Influence’ Grammy Noms”
March 3, 2020
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Vox
“The 2020 Grammys’ sexual harassment and corruption controversy, explained”
January 26, 2020
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Vulture
“Ousted Grammy CEO Deborah Dugan Accuses the Recording Academy of Rampant Misconduct”
January 21, 2020
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Vulture
“The Grammys’ Silence on the Deborah Dugan Scandal Was Deafening”
January 27, 2020
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The Wall Street Journal
“Recording Academy CEO Files Discrimination Complaint Days Before Grammy Awards”
January 21, 2020
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The Wall Street Journal
“At the Grammys, a New Guard in the Spotlight and a Nasty Fight Backstage”
January 26, 2020
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The Washington Post
“The Recording Academy is imploding the week before the Grammys. Here’s what we know.”
January 22, 2020
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The Washington Post
“Diddy called out the Grammys for ignoring black artists during a pre-awards gala. The issue was still true when the ceremony took place on Sunday.”
January 27, 2020
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The Washington Post
“Recording Academy fires embattled CEO Deborah Dugan, but she’s not going quietly”
March 3, 2020
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Yahoo Music
“Sean Combs blasts Recording Academy at Clive Davis gala: ‘Black music has never been respected by the Grammys’”
January 26, 2020
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