FYF Fest founder Sean Carlson was investigated by LAPD in 2013, L.A. Times reports
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FYF Fest founder Sean Carlson was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department in 2013 for an alleged sexual assault, the Los Angeles Times reported today.
The Times story follows a story published this morning by Spin that detailed four incidents of alleged sexual misconduct by Carlson.
No charges were filed after the 2013 investigation, the Times story said.
The Times on Monday reported that Goldenvoice, with whom Carlson had partnered on FYF Fest since 2011, had severed ties with the promoter. That news came in an email from Goldenvoice chief Paul Tollett to booking agents. Carlson, who founded FYF (then known as F*ck Yeah Fest) in 2004, eventually became a major player in Goldenvoice’s booking, providing input on Coachella and co-promoting several of the Coachella “add-on” shows in the weeks surrounding the desert festival.
In this afternoon, story, the Times reported that Carlson’s influence was one reason many of the women said they were afraid to go public with allegations of sexual misconduct: “I was worried I’d never be able to work again in the music industry if I outed him,” said one of the women who spoke with The Times on condition of anonymity. “It’s also the music world, where predatory men are everywhere. Why was anyone going to listen to me?”
Carlson today released a statement on Facebook saying, in part: “I am genuinely, unequivocally sorry. I lay fault at no one’s feet but my own. I am ashamed by how I acted and feel terrible for the pain that I have caused.”
Will FYF come back, and if so, will it be a Goldenvoice event under Tollett, or a Carlson event without Goldenvoice in the future? If Carlson controls FYF, will bands boycott it, and will he partner with another company like LiveNation or Nederlander, or just do it on his own? If Carlson gets to keep FYF, will Goldenvoice start a new music festival in downtown Los Angeles during July or August? I am disgusted with what Carlson did and will not attend any event that will give him one penny more of my money. All bands and artists should no longer deal with Carlson or any event he owns, books and/or promotes.
[…] after owners AEG/Goldenvoice cut ties with founder Sean Carlson after Carlson was the target of sexual assault allegations. Helmed by new talent buyer Jenn Yacoubian, FYF announced its return in March with a lineup […]