Charlie Walk Exits Republic Records After Multiple Sexual Harassment Allegations
Charlie Walk, record exec and judge on television show “The Four,” has parted was with Republic Records. Walk and the Universal Music Group label “have mutually agreed to part ways,” according to a statement from Republic obtained by Variety.
Walk was accused of sexual harassment by five female employees of the label and of two Sony Music labels, former workplaces for Walk. He was placed on leave by Republic Records after allegations arose.
A rep from UMG declined to elaborate to Variety beyond the statement.
Accusations against Walk first appeared in January when Tristan Coopersmith, who worked with Walk at Columbia Records, wrote an open letter accusing him of sexual harassment. That was followed by allegations made by four women in a Rolling Stone article. Walk has since retained attorney Patricia Glaser, who is also representing Harvey Weinstein, Variety noted.
Coopersmith said to Variety, “I applaud all the women who shared their truth and I am gratified that Universal created a safe process for them to do so. This behavior in the workplace will only stop when we band together, unafraid. TimesUp.”
Walk was a judge on “The Four,” a singing contest show, but was cut from the season finale after allegations arose. A source at Republic told Variety that Walk’s office still looked the way he left it when he was placed on leave.
Walk’s career as a radio promotion executive is a long one, from the early success of New Kids on the Block to becoming president of Republic Records in 2016.
