Supermodel Kate Upton vindicated, as ‘groper’ Guess boss Paul Marciano quits after harassment probe
Upton says Marciano grabbed her breasts when she was aged 18 and on her first modelling assignment, says he was ‘making sure they’re real’
Fashion brand Guess said Tuesday that co-founder Paul Marciano has resigned as executive chairman and will leave next year in the wake of the company’s sexual harassment investigation.
Los-Angeles-based Guess said in a corporate filing that Marciano “exercised poor judgment in his communications with models and photographers” and put himself in situations “in which plausible allegations of improper conduct could, and did, arise.”
Guess’ statement said allegations included “inappropriate comments and texts and unwanted advances including kissing and groping.” Guess also said Marciano and the company reached settlements totalling US$500,000 with five of those who made the allegations.
The settlements are non-confidential, which means the victims are not barred from speaking out. Guess said the company and Marciano agreed to the settlements “to avoid the cost of litigation and without admitting liability or fault.”
Many of the other allegations against Marciano could not be confirmed because the accusers either declined to be interviewed or provided insufficient information to investigators, Guess said. In other cases, “credible accounts were given by both sides,” the company said.
Although none of those receiving settlements were named in the company’s filing, supermodel Kate Upton was one of those who went public with allegations against Marciano. She said that during a 2010 Guess lingerie photo session, Marciano aggressively kissed her, repeatedly tried to see her in her hotel room and forcibly grabbed a breast.