Heathcliff Berru Issues Statement After Best Coast, Dirty Projectors Member Allege Sexual Assault
Update (1/20): Heathcliff Berru has issued a statement, via LA Weekly:
There have been several reports about my alleged inappropriate behavior which deserve a response. I am deeply sorry for those who I have offended by my actions and how I have made certain women feel. If I crossed the line of decency or respectfulness in situations when I was drunk and under the influence, there is no excuse of course. To be clear, while my conduct may have been inappropriate, I have never drugged anyone or engaged in that type of behavior. Nevertheless, I do not want to be the type of person who would let drugs or alcohol take command of his life and compromise how he treats people. Yet I have been this person and it’s time to put a stop to all of this. Create a world with one less inappropriate man.
I have been fighting a losing battle against drugs and alcohol for many years and will be checking into a rehabilitation facility in the hope that I can improve my chances of winning that fight. A year ago, I was confronted by a peer and began to try to clean up and make things right with therapy and with an eye towards quitting the addiction. The shame and sadness feels as strong now as it did then and I am making an immediate change.
I have already lost my wife, abandoned my family, and destroyed those I love as a result of my shameful, embarrassing, unacceptable behavior. I deeply apologize to them as well. By no means do they deserve to feel the pain of my actions. Please give them the space they deserve. They were the light at the end of a dark tunnel. I was married during some of these years and hid my problems from everyone well. Especially her and her family. Totally inexcusable.
In no way do these allegations reflect on Life or Death PR, its staff, or anyone associated with the company. These are my issues, not theirs. I could not be more proud of the company and what it stands for. That being said I have stepped down as the CEO and relinquishing all responsibility to the current president, Nick Dierl. The company shouldn't have to deal with this distraction and I want Nick and the rest of the team to continue to do their good work while I take care of myself.
Original Story (1/19): On Monday night (Jan. 18), Amber Coffman of the Dirty Projectors recounted a disturbing story of sexual misconduct, naming her assaulter Heathcliff Berru of Life or Death PR & Management. If the company name seems unfamiliar to you, the artists signed to it won't: D’Angelo, Odd Future, DIIV, Killer Mike, Mac Miller, Of Montreal and several others.
Since telling her story, other artists have spoken out about Berru's alleged abuse, including several publicists and Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino. On Tuesday afternoon, Berru resigned.
Other artists have responded, too: Speedy Ortiz revealed that while they haven't worked with Berru directly, they're on the Life & Death roster and are undoing conversations. Wavves, a band signed with Heathcliff, fired him in a very public fashion. very public fashion. DIIV left the company. Scroll down to read the concerning stories of Coffman and others.
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