XPost: alt.atheism, nyc.politics, sac.politics
XPost: talk.politics.guns
Two members of the New York Philharmonic dumped for the second time over a 14-year-old rape allegation want the country’s most prestigious orchestra
and their union to face the music.
The orchestra’s associate principal trumpet, Matthew Muckey, and the
principal oboist, Liang Wang, are each suing the Philharmonic and the musicians’ union Local 802 after being ousted for the second time in four years.
They had been investigated and lost their jobs in 2018, during the MeToo movement, but got their seats in the orchestra back in 2020 after their
union took up their cause and won a binding arbitration.
But in April they were told they would not be playing indefinitely when
the alleged victim spoke in detail to New York Magazine and the orchestra announced a fresh investigation into the orchestra’s “culture” by an
outside attorney.
Now Muckey, 39, and Wang, 44, have for breach of contract and are asking
for their jobs back and unspecified damages, according to federal lawsuits filed Wednesday in the Southern District of New York.
In the article Cara Kizer, 44, a former horn player with the Philharmonic, detail her allegation that the pair drugged and raped her in their rented
condo in Vail, Colorado, during the 2010 Bravo! Vail Valley music
festival.
Kizer reported the alleged rape to Vail police but the district attorney ultimately decided there was insufficient evidence to press charges.
The alleged attack was an open secret in the world of classical music but
was not made public until the height of the MeToo movement in 2018 when,
under pressure from its members, the Philharmonic suspended Muckey and
Wang and commissioned a former judge to investigate.
The probe resulted in Muckey and Wang being dismissed but their union,
Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians, contested their
firings.
An independent arbitrator found they had been removed without cause and
the Philharmonic had to reinstate them in 2020.
“We are profoundly disappointed by the arbitrator’s decision,” the
Philharmonic said in a statement at the time, adding “we will, as we must, abide by the arbitrator’s ruling.”
But the tables have turned on Muckey and Wang once again by being removed
from the orchestra’s line-up.
This time they are also suing their union, which is no longer supporting
them and has called for a change in the orchestra’s “culture.”
“The matter has been investigated and put to bed and it is time for it to
end,” Steven Hyman, Muckey’s attorney told The Post.
“The fact is the Philharmonic has acted inappropriately and the union in
some ways even worse. Matt should be back working at the Philharmonic
again.
“It’s unfortunate if the donors and trustees find it uncomfortable but
that’s what the judicial system has determined.”
Wang’s attorney, Alan Lewis, said, “Local 802 has not stood up for its
loyal member, Liang Wang, even when he has been subject to mistreatment
from his employer – without being accused of anything.”
The Philharmonic declined to comment but shared an email sent from CEO
Gary Ginstling to its members which announced the new investigation and
Muckey and Wang’s suspension “while we work through this process.”
“Nothing is more important than the culture of our orchestra and the
safety of our musicians and staff, and it is only through this process
that we will build the kind of vibrant and inclusive culture we all want,” Ginstling wrote.
The Post has reached out to Local 802 for comment.
Kizer did not return a call from The Post but told New York Magazine that
after their concert on July 24, 2010, she had gone to Muckey and Wang’s
condo after learning that her husband was going to be delayed in arriving
in Vail.
Kizer said Wang brought her a glass of red wine after the two tried to get
her to join them in the hot tub — and doesn’t remember anything after
that.
Kizer told the magazine that she woke up naked and sick in Muckey’s bed
and saw vomit stains around the bed.
Muckey later told Vail cops that the two had had consensual sex.
The local DA did not pursue charges.
Kizer, the second woman ever hired for the orchestra’s brass, had been on probation and left in 2012 with a six-figure settlement, according to New
York magazine.
Amanda Stewart, the first orchestra member to see her after the alleged
rape became one of her staunchest supporters and is now her romantic
partners after Kizer’s divorce.
“The Philharmonic is so f—ed right now,” a classical musician who knows
some of those involved told The Post.
“To win a seat in the New York Philharmonic is like winning a gold medal
at the Olympics. If you’re Muckey and Wang you don’t want to give that up.
“But if the Philharmonic didn’t suspend them again now, it’s clear they
would be facing massive blowback from donors and board members.”
Jack DiPasquale
3 hours ago
Me too movement is a farce and a joke. Not a word from them since Biden
and the Democrats let boys and men infiltrate girls and women's locker
rooms. Letting boys and men take awards and scholarships from real girls
and women. Me too movement has no interest in protecting real girls and
women privacy and their right to equal treatment.
Lester Gruber
2 hours ago
July 20 1969 : John F Kennedy put a man on the moon
Sept 18 2016 : Barak Obama puts a man in a women's restroom
Feb 10 2021 : Joe Biden puts a boy on a girls swim team
We sure have come far under democrats leadership !!
Lee ????
1 hour ago
Me too movement doesn't even seem to care about all the child actors both
boys and girls being sexually assaulted in the industry. They were always
one big lie...just like B L M
E G
2 hours ago
Ok. This is how the game works: 1. If you're a woman who makes spurious
rape claims, society loves and believes you. 2. If you're a woman who just
got your teeth kicked in at an athletic competition by a man claiming to
be a woman, you're on your own. Are we clear?
https://nypost.com/2024/05/01/us-news/musicians-suspended-after-rape- claims-sue-ny-philharmonic/
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