Jon Heely, the director of music publishing at Disney, has been charged with three felony counts of child sexual abuse.
The 58-year-old is being accused accused of sexually abusing two underage girls approximately a decade ago.
He allegedly victimized the first girl when she was 15. According to the charges, he began abusing the second when she was about 11 years old and continued until she was also 15.
In a statement, a Disney spokesman said the company suspended John late on Friday, after being informed of the charges.
“Immediately upon learning of this situation tonight, he has been suspended without pay until the matter is resolved by the courts,” the spokesman said.
He was arrested on Nov. 16 and was later released on $150,000 bail.
On Wednesday, prosecutors charged him with three counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child. Jon pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Thursday.
He is due back in court on Jan. 10. If convicted, he faces up to nine years and three months in prison.
Jon’s attorney, Robert Helfend, denied the charges.
“He vehemently denies these allegations and we will be fighting until the end to clear his name,” Helfend said. “It’s a shame, that’s all I’ve got to say.”
We can imagine Disney’s not too thrilled about having their name entangled in this man’s horrible acts.
