Guess Inc. Chairman Steps Down After Kate Upton Allegations
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA/AP) — Sexual harassment allegations have taken down another top executive -- this time the chairman of Guess Inc.
The Los Angeles-based apparel maker says Paul Marciano will give up his day-to-day responsibilities until a sexual misconduct investigation is completed.
Supermodel Kate Upton called Marciano out in social media posts that included the hashtag #metoo.
It's disappointing that such an iconic women's brand @GUESS is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director #metoo
— Kate Upton (@KateUpton) January 31, 2018
The model told Time magazine Marciano forcibly grabbed her breasts during a Guess photo shoot nearly eight years ago and that he would show up at hotels she was staying at and text her inappropriate comments. She was 18 years old at the time, and a photographer corroborated the details of her allegations.
Marciano – an executive chairman of the company's board and its chief creative officer -- denies the allegations.
Guess says Marciano, who co-founded the brand with his brother in 1981 and owns a 17 percent stake in the company, will not be paid while he steps aside.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)