• by Melynda Fuller , January 2, 2018

In a memo to Vice staff on Tuesday, CFO Sarah Broderick announced the suspension of company president Andrew Creighton and Chief Digital Officer Mike Germano while the company investigates claims of sexual misconduct against the men.

The suspensions are part of a continuing fallout from a New York Times story by writer Emily Steel investigating sexual misconduct at the company. The story named both men and cited four settlements paid to accusers by Vice. 

In one case, Creighton is said to have paid $135,000 after a former employee rejected his advances and was then fired from his digital ad agency, Carrot. Vice acquired Carrot in 2013.

The claims against Creighton will be investigated by HR at Vice in conjunction with an external investigator.

In regards to Germano, Broderick’s memo stated the company felt much of what was revealed in the Times story misrepresented his behavior at Vice. However, the accusations against Germano resulted in the creation of a special committee to investigate the claims. The committee will make recommendations based on its research on January 11.

Both men are cooperating with the investigation and on leave from the company. 

The memo also outlined steps Vice plans to take to improve its workplace culture, including mandatory sexual harassment training and the creation of a diversity and inclusion board.