Two top execs of Vice Media suspended over sexual harassment allegations

Vice Media has suspended two top executives, one of whom is the company president, in the wake of  allegations of sexual misconduct. A company memo Tuesday, quoted by the New York Times and the Associated Press, said that there were four settlements involving allegations of sexual harassment or defamation against Andrew Creighton, president of the company, and chief digital officer Mike Germano. The Times talked with more than two dozen women who say they experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct, including groping and forced kisses. Both men were put on leave pending an investigation. 

The Times reported that Vice paid a former female employee a $135,000 settlement in 2016 after she said she was fired when she rejected Creighton’s advances. The Vice memo says her claims were found to lack merit at the time after a review by law firm, but a special committee of its board is looking at the matter now. It will make a recommendation on what to do before a Jan. 11 board meeting.