NEW YORK — Ousted Grammys CEO Deborah Dugan and the Recording Academy have reached a confidential settlement over why the former leader was let go from the organization.
“The Recording Academy and Deborah Dugan have agreed to resolve their differences and to keep the terms of their agreement private,” the academy and Dugan said in a joint statement late Thursday.
Dugan was placed on paid administrative leave in January 2020 following a misconduct allegation and just 10 days before the 62nd Grammy Awards.
Just days before the awards show, Dugan fired back at the academy with an explosive discrimination complaint alleging unlawful gender discrimination, sexual harassment, unlawful retaliation and unequal pay.
During an appearance on “Good Morning America” at the time, Dugan elaborated on a specific section of her complaint that claimed an artist was allowed to sit in on the song of the year nomination committee last year.
Former Recording Academy president and CEO Deborah Dugan speaks during the 62nd Grammy Awards Nominations Conference on Nov. 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: ANGELA WEISS, AFP via Getty Images)
“There are incidents of conflicts of interest that taints the results… It’s not even just that one room,” she said, without naming the artist. “I have evidence that in another room, cause there were complaints in the jazz category –”
“So you do have evidence? … Where are you going to present that?” “GMA’s” George Stephanopoulos cut in.
“I have a claim that I filed,” she responded.
The Recording Academy denied her claims.
In March of 2020, the academy officially fired Dugan, the first woman to hold the title of president and CEO at the academy.
In a letter sent to members March 2, the academy said it reached the decision after “two exhaustive, costly independent investigations” about Dugan. It said the reviews found “consistent management deficiencies and failures,” though no specifics were offered.
The academy then named Harvey Mason Jr. the interim president and CEO, which became official in May. This week the academy also named Valeisha Butterfield Jones and Panos A. Panay as co-presidents of the organization.
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