Academy President John Bailey Accused Of Sexual Harassment

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President John Bailey is facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment, it was reported Friday.

The Academy opened an investigation into the allegations after receiving three harassment claims against Bailey on Wednesday, Variety first reported. Elected president in August, Bailey has resided over the Academy’s response to the #Metoo and #TimesUp movements, expelling Harvey Weinstein shortly after allegations of serial sexal assault surfaced against the powerhouse producer and replacing Casey Affleck as an Oscars presenter due to sexual harassment allegations. The Academy’s response to the Bailey allegations present a major test of the organization. The Academy recently established a new protocol for handling allegations of sexual harassment. The Board of Governors is tasked with disciplining members named in credible allegations.

In a statement released Friday, the Academy declined comment, citing confidentiality issues.

"The Academy treats any complaints confidentially to protect all parties," the statement reads. "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. We will not comment further on such matters until the full review is completed."

Bailey, 75, who was elected president of the organization in August, is a cinematographer and occasional director. No details about the nature of the allegations have been released.

If forced to step down, Bailey would be temporarily replaced by Lois Burwell, a veteran makeup artist who is the Academy's vice president, until the next election in July, according to Variety.

City News Service contributed to this report. Photo: Academy President John Bailey speaks onstage portrait at The Oscars Foreign Language Film Award Directors Reception at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on March 2, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)