Jon Heely, director of music publishing at Disney, has been charged with three felony counts of child sexual abuse.
Heely, 58, of Santa Clarita, northeast of Los Angeles, is accused of sexually abusing two underage girls approximately a decade ago. He allegedly victimised the first girl when she was 15. According to the charges, he began abusing the second when she was about 11 years old and continued until she was 15.
In a statement, a Disney spokesman said the company suspended Heely after being informed of the charges.
Heely was arrested on November 16 by deputies from the Santa Clarita station of the LA County Sheriff's Department. Booking records indicate he was later released on US$150,000 bail.
Heely pleaded not guilty at his arraignment at the San Fernando courthouse. He is due back in court on January 10.
The entertainment industry in the US has been rocked by numerous allegations of sexual misbehaviour and assault in recent months.
The accusers were recently named Time magazine's people of the year.
- Time honours exual harassment 'Silence Breakers'
- Anna Paquin says she was sexually harassed or assaulted
- More than 30 women accuse another Hollywood director
Reuters / Newshub.
