Hollywood Academy President Faces Sexual-Harassment Allegations

(Bloomberg) -- The body that hands out Hollywood’s Oscars is facing its own #MeToo moment.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences said it’s conducting an internal review after the trade publication Variety reported that three claims of sexual harassment were made this week against President John Bailey.

The academy, which recently changed its membership rules to increase diversity in Hollywood, said in a statement that it treats all complaints confidentially. The allegations come as the movie business is still reeling from allegations of sexual misconduct and assault by producer Harvey Weinstein.

“The membership committee reviews all complaints brought against academy members according to our Standards of Conduct process, and after completing reviews, reports to the board of governors,” the group said in a statement. It declined to comment beyond the statement.

Bailey couldn’t be reached for comment. A leading cinematographer whose credits include “Ordinary People” and “American Gigolo,” he replaced Cheryl Boone Isaacs as academy president in August.

Under Bailey, the academy voted to expel Weinstein. The latest allegations emerge just two weeks after the televised Oscar show, where protests against sexual harassment played a prominent role. In her acceptance speech for best actress, Frances McDormand called for employment contracts that require a diverse cast and crew.

Under Boone Isaacs, the academy started several initiatives to increase the diversity in its ranks, which are believed to be largely white and male. That included changing membership rules and inviting more people of color and women from various backgrounds to join.

To contact the reporter on this story: Anousha Sakoui in Los Angeles at asakoui@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Crayton Harrison at tharrison5@bloomberg.net, Mark Schoifet, Rob Golum

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