Industry Responds To 'Half Assed' Apology From Heathcliff Berru Over Harassment Allegations
"These stories are true. And this is emblematic of a larger problem within our society"
The former chief executive of US-based company Life Or Death PR, Heathcliff Berru, has issued a statement in the wake of yesterday's allegations of sexual harassment from several industry personalities, apologising for his actions and admitting that he will check in to a drug-and-alcohol rehabilitation centre to address substance abuse problems.
However, Berru's statement has swiftly drawn criticism from several of his accusers, including Dirty Projectors vocalist/guitarist Amber Coffman, who initiated the wave of women now speaking out against Berru with a series of tweets in which she recounted an occasion on which the publicist had allegedly "rubbed [her] ass and bit [her] hair".
In his statement, provided to LA Weekly, Berru apologises for his "alleged inappropriate behaviour" and says he is "deeply sorry for those who I have offended by my actions and how I have made certain women feel", but denied claims of having drugged women to take advantage of them.
"If I crossed the line of decency or respectfulness in situations when I was drunk and under the influence, there is no excuse of course. To be clear, while my conduct may have been inappropriate, I have never drugged anyone or engaged in that type of behaviour. Nevertheless, I do not want to be the type of person who would let drugs or alcohol take command of his life and compromise how he treats people. Yet I have been this person and it's time to put a stop to all of this. Create a world with one less inappropriate man."
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Berru goes on to claim that he has been "fighting a losing battle" against substance abuse over the past several years, "and will be checking into a rehabilitation facility in the hope that I can improve my chances of winning that fight".
"A year ago, I was confronted by a peer and began to try to clean up and make things right with therapy and with an eye towards quitting the addiction. The shame and sadness feels as strong no as it did then and I am making an immediate change."
The embattled publicist also took pains to distance his family and ex-company, from which he resigned in the wake of the allegations, from the scandal, asking that people "give [his wife and family] the space they deserve" and stressing, "In no way do these allegations reflect on Life Or Death PR, its staff or anyone associated with the company".
"These are my issues, not theirs," Berru said. "I could not be more proud of the company and what it stands for … The company shouldn't have to deal with this distraction and I want [president and new CEO] Nick [Dierl] and the rest of the team to continue to do their good work while I take care of myself."
However, Berru's statement of apology hasn't landed with those who accused him of various acts of sexual harassment, with Coffman slamming the statement on Twitter.
"Love that Heathcliff's initial statement uses 'alleged'," she wrote. "He knows damned well what he did. That's what I call a half assed apology."
Several other women who had spoken out against Berru in the wake of Coffman's original tweets also expressed their scepticism over the statement, including Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino, former musician Roxy Lange, fellow publicists Judy Miller Silverman (who has acknowledged she was never personally harassed by Berru, but was aware of the behaviour) and Beth Martinez, who provided LA Weekly with an in-depth response to Berru's statement.
"I have the utmost sympathy for drug and alcohol addicts," she said. "I have been through addiction counseling and attended AA. I know and am friends with many addicts. Addiction does not turn you into a rapist. This is not an excuse for ten years of unwanted aggressive sexual advances towards women.
"The behaviour that Heathcliff apologized for is not 'offensive'. Trying to place your penis in a woman's mouth or vagina while she says 'no' repeatedly is rape. The stories I heard yesterday from women who are afraid to come forward describe these exact actions, and the stories range from happening ten years ago to just last month.
"I understand that it is hard for many people who have known Heathcliff Berru to rectify the cool guy they knew with the allegations that are being made against him. It boggles the mind to think that someone you like could also be a sociopath or a sexual predator. Often times people who knew serial killers are amazed because they seemed like such nice people.
"But these stories are true. And this is emblematic of a larger problem within our society of the degradation of women through sexual assault. Women are consistently shamed and bullied into keeping silent. Only now with the rise of social media are we able to share our stories safely. Change is happening. You will be hearing more stories like this."
In addition to the slap-down of the statement from his accusers, more high-profile acts have lent their support to Coffman and those speaking out, including acts such as Sleigh Bells, Killer Mike (of Run The Jewels), and Garbage, as well as Pitchfork senior editor Jessica Hopper (who, you'll remember, floored the world with her incredible keynote speech on sexism in the music industry at BIGSOUND back in September).
There are folks who cannot speak up abt abuse endured in the music industry. Other folks who can, who know, are silent b/c it's status quo
— Jessica Hopper (@jesshopp) January 20, 2016
We are told over and over, explicitly and implicitly by others silence and lack of consequences, this is how it is in music industry.
— Jessica Hopper (@jesshopp) January 20, 2016
Saying "what did you expect?--it's tour, it's the music industry" == expect to be raped, groped, gaslit, invisible, unsafe like no big deal
— Jessica Hopper (@jesshopp) January 20, 2016
I hope dudes who abuse women and use power to silence them are being put on notice. Live in fear of social media name-and-shame.
— Jessica Hopper (@jesshopp) January 20, 2016See more responses from the industry below.
Love that Heathcliff's initial statement uses "alleged." He knows damned well what he did. That's what I call a half assed apology
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 20, 2016
Just heard that Life or Death PR has dissolved. Smart, but still want to hear more from them about Heathcliff's actions + their complacency
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 20, 2016
Appreciate the support Mike, I have a ton of respect 4 u. No sympathy 4 HC tho. His behavior lasted a decade or more https://t.co/h0gbWypi27
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 20, 2016
@RoxyLange @motormouthmedia @AndyHermannLA drugs and alcohol are no excuse but lemme bring them up as many times as I can-
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) January 20, 2016
@BestCoast @RoxyLange @AndyHermannLA How about the sex addiction? The propensity to touch women against their will addiction?
— Motormouthmedia Judy (@motormouthmedia) January 20, 2016
@BestCoast @motormouthmedia @AndyHermannLA I want to throw up
— Roxy Lange (@RoxyLange) January 20, 2016
Maybe the stereotype of women being "angry" exists because we have to fight/raise our voices for EVERYTHING + people still barely hear us
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) January 21, 2016
@BestCoast @motormouthmedia @AndyHermannLA I want to throw up
— Roxy Lange (@RoxyLange) January 20, 2016
i have been accused of a few things, including a personal vendetta and i will admit to that. the vendetta started when i fired him....
— Motormouthmedia Judy (@motormouthmedia) January 20, 2016
for behavior that was not right on every level. and then as my friends came forward over the years i held this secret.
— Motormouthmedia Judy (@motormouthmedia) January 20, 2016
i did tell people who i cared about who i thought should not do biz with him. but i never publicly outed anyone ever.
— Motormouthmedia Judy (@motormouthmedia) January 20, 2016
and if you don't have a vendetta against someone you know this about then who do you have one. i have many ex employees and no vendettas
— Motormouthmedia Judy (@motormouthmedia) January 20, 2016
i am not witch hunting. the damage is huge and done and i am gonna barf.
— Motormouthmedia Judy (@motormouthmedia) January 20, 2016
@BestCoast @Amber_Coffman My love and solidarity to you both. Thank you for speaking up on behalf of those unable yet to find their voice.Sx
— Garbage (@garbage) January 20, 2016
Props and support to the women speaking out against that darkness @Amber_Coffman @BestCoast
— SLEIGH BELLS (@sleighbells) January 20, 2016Read Berru's full statement (via LA Weekly) below.
"There have been several reports about my alleged inappropriate behavior which deserve a response. I am deeply sorry for those who I have offended by my actions and how I have made certain women feel. If I crossed the line of decency or respectfulness in situations when I was drunk and under the influence, there is no excuse of course. To be clear, while my conduct may have been inappropriate, I have never drugged anyone or engaged in that type of behavior. Nevertheless, I do not want to be the type of person who would let drugs or alcohol take command of his life and compromise how he treats people. Yet I have been this person and it’s time to put a stop to all of this. Create a world with one less inappropriate man.
"I have been fighting a losing battle against drugs and alcohol for many years and will be checking into a rehabilitation facility in the hope that I can improve my chances of winning that fight. A year ago, I was confronted by a peer and began to try to clean up and make things right with therapy and with an eye towards quitting the addiction. The shame and sadness feels as strong now as it did then and I am making an immediate change.
"I have already lost my wife, abandoned my family, and destroyed those I love as a result of my shameful, embarrassing, unacceptable behavior. I deeply apologize to them as well. By no means do they deserve to feel the pain of my actions. Please give them the space they deserve. They were the light at the end of a dark tunnel. I was married during some of these years and hid my problems from everyone well. Especially her and her family. Totally inexcusable.
"In no way do these allegations reflect on Life or Death PR, its staff, or anyone associated with the company. These are my issues, not theirs. I could not be more proud of the company and what it stands for. That being said I have stepped down as the CEO and [am] relinquishing all responsibility to the current president, Nick Dierl. The company shouldn't have to deal with this distraction and I want Nick and the rest of the team to continue to do their good work while I take care of myself."
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