A high-profile Hollywood talent agent is on leave, amid claims actor Terry Crews was preparing to name him as his alleged abuser.
Adam Venit, the chief of WME‘s massive motion picture wing, has been distanced from the firm as it investigates Crews’ claims of sexual assault.
Crews is an active client of WME, but is not represented by Venit.
The Brooklyn Nine-Nine star took to Twitter last month to outline the allegation, stating that an unnamed “high level Hollywood executive” had “groped my privates” at a past industry function.
“I was going to kick his ass right then – but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear,” he said.
“‘240 lbs [109 kg] black man stomps out Hollywood honcho’ would be the headline the next day. Only I probably wouldn’t have been able to read it because I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL. So we left.”
Admittedly inspired by the bravery of the women who alleged sexual abuse against producer Harvey Weinstein, Crews said he “is not the only predator.
“Hollywood is not the only business where this happens, and to the casualties of this behaviour – you are not alone. Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless.”
Variety sought comment from Crews, Venit, and WME. At the time of writing, no response has been received.
The publication also notes that Venit represents actor Dustin Hoffman and director/producer Brett Ratner, who have been accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour and rape, respectively.
Venit is not the first Hollywood talent agent or manager to face serious allegations after the avalanche of accusations against Weinstein: manager David Guillod stepped down after Ted actor Jessica Barth revived claims he sexually assaulted her in 2012.
Tyler Grasham, who represented Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard, was fired from his agency after a filmmaker alleged he sexually assaulted him as a minor.
