Former Louis C.K. manager apologizes for response to sexual misconduct claims: ‘What I did was wrong’
Louis C.K.’s former manager has apologized for his handling of sexual misconduct claims leveled against the comedian.
Dave Becky, a prominent manager at 3 Arts Entertainment, issued a statement Monday acknowledging his role in attempting to protect his client from complaints raised by two female comedians, Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov.
“I profoundly regret and am deeply sorry for not listening to and not understanding what happened to Dana and Julia,” Becky said. “If I had, I would have taken this event as seriously as it deserved to be, and I would have confronted Louis, which would have been the right thing to do.”
The two were among five women who came forward last week for a story in the New York Times detailing sexual misconduct by the comedian more than a decade ago. Goodman and Wolov said they were invited by C.K. to his hotel room during a 2002 comedy festival in Aspen, Colo., and disturbed when he began to masturbate in front of them. Becky was accused of pressuring the two to not talk about their experience in the tight-knit world of standup comedians.
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C.K. confirmed the truth of the claims in the Times’ report with a lengthy statement issued Friday.
The fallout for C.K. was swift. FX, Netflix and HBO severed ties with the comedian and he was dropped as a client by 3 Arts. Indie distributor the Orchard scrapped the release of C.K.’s movie “I Love You, Daddy,” which had been set to bow on Friday.
Here is Becky’s full statement:
I profoundly regret and am deeply sorry for not listening to and not understanding what happened to Dana and Julia. If I had, I would have taken this event as seriously as it deserved to be, and I would have confronted Louis, which would have been the right thing to do.
I am providing this context so that others do not make the same mistake I did. At that time, I heard the story third-hand, and I interpreted the conversation as two women telling a story about a sexual encounter with a then-married Louis. Albeit enormously embarrassing, in no way did I interpret the interaction as threatening or non-consensual. I misperceived the casual way the story was portrayed to me – instead I should have recognized that it must have been a mask for their unease and discomfort in the face of his detestable behavior. My intent was to seek discretion to protect what I thought was a matter of infidelity. I now comprehend that my response was perceived as a threat to cover-up sexual misconduct. This is not an excuse. What I did was wrong, and again, I am extremely sorry.
See photos of Louis C.K.:
In hindsight, I was operating blindly from a one-sided place of privilege. Until last week, I knew only of this one isolated incident. Although this may sound naïve, it is true. Never once, in all of these years, did anyone mention any of the other incidents that were reported recently — I am appalled to learn of these. I have come to realize my status wielded an atmosphere where such news did not reach me, or worse yet, that it seemed such news did not matter to me. It does. It matters tremendously.
I am going to take time to reflect on this, to educate myself daily, and to strive towards a more enlightened path. I want to ensure that all voices around me are heard, and that everyone is treated respectfully and empathetically. More than anything, I want to create an environment that is a better, safer and fairer place.
Sincerely,
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