(ATR) IOC member in Israel Alex Gilady says he's been wrongly portrayed in a newspaper gossip column describing behavior towards women he met while a TV executive in Tel Aviv.
Gilady, an International Olympic Committee member since 1994, was accused by Haaretz columnist Neri Livneh of improper conduct following a dinner meeting she thought might concern a job offer.
Livneh levied her accusation in a Haaretz column on Nov. 5, saying that Gilady’s secretary had called her to set up a discreet meeting out of the office where Gilady would have an interesting offer for Livneh.
This meeting took place in 1999 and consisted of a meeting at a café which transitioned to dinner and then Gilady’s home where shesays Gilady exposed himself.
In a public statement he apologizes for any harm caused by his behavior.
"Neri's words are mostly true," Gilady says. "What grownups do in their lives, in their private homes as part of a private relationship, is their own business."
Three days prior to the claim by the newspaper, journalist Oshrat Kotler accused Gilady of making an "indecent proposition". She says Gilady had asked to have dinner and then return to his home for the evening following a job interview for Keshet, the television company founded and operated by Gilady from 1993-1999.
Kotler reportedly told Gilady she was married and she alleges he responded saying: "What has that got to do with it? Don’t you know how they get ahead in television in Hollywood?"
Gilady expresses regret, but disputes the circumstances described by Kotler.
"As for Kotler's claims, in 1994, Keshet did not have the Morning Show neither in 1995, when I left my position as CEO of Keshet, I did not audition her, and I do not recall talking to her, as she noted," Gilady said.
"In all cases, there was no intention of causing any harm [by] me, and if my behavior caused any aggravation - I am deeply sorry."
There has been no indication or corroboration from the IOC that Gilady's behavior will result in an inquiry or repercussions. However, Keshet’s chairwoman of the Board Drorit Wertheim issued a statement Monday on behalf of the company in which she promised to address sexual harassment in the workplace.
"The testimony of the female journalists about the improper behavior attributed to Alex Gilady is upsetting and painful," she said. "Without addressing the specific instances, circumstances or the passage of time, I would like to offer strength to anyone who felt hurt or humiliated by improper and unacceptable conduct."
Gilady is just one executive or media personality from the Keshet Media Group in hot water for alleged misconduct towards women. In the past week, radio host Gabi Gazit, former Big Brother producer Yoram Zack and television host Haim Yavin have all been accused of various levels of sexual harassment or misconduct.
The senior vice president of NBC Sports since 1996 according to the IOC, Gilady is in Lausanne for IOC commission meetings this week. Gilady is the vice chairman of the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission as well as member of the Communications and Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport Commissions. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Olympic Channel. The Communications Commission meets Wednesday.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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