An executive with the Walt Disney Co. has been charged with three felony counts of child sex abuse.
Jon Heely, who has been Disney's director of music publishing since 2000, was arraigned on the charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child on Dec. 7. Heely was arrested Nov. 16 by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.
Heely is accused of sexually abusing two girls about a decade ago, one when she was 15 and another when she was 11 until she was 15, according to Variety.
Disney suspended Heely Friday, the company said in a statement to Variety. “Immediately upon learning of the situation tonight, he has been suspended without pay until the matter is resolved by the courts,” the company said.
Heely pleaded not guilty to the charges and through his attorney Robert Helfend denied the charges. “He vehemently denies these allegations and we will be fighting until the end to clear his name,” Helfend told Variety. “It’s a shame, that’s all I’ve got to say.”
Follow USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.
