The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is parting ways with its president and CEO Jeff Melanson, which comes as Melanson is in the midst of an acrimonious split from his wife, McCain heiress Eleanor McCain.
“The Board of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Jeff Melanson, President & CEO of the TSO, have mutually decided that it is in the best interests of both parties that he resign from his employment with the TSO,” the organization said in a statement on Wednesday. Melanson’s resignation was accepted on Tuesday, the statement said.
McCain’s annulment application, filed March 2 and obtained by the Toronto Star earlier this month, states that her estranged husband tricked her into marrying him in order to gain access to her wealth and ended the relationship abruptly via email.
The annulment application also makes several claims related to Melanson’s job performance, the Star reported, saying that he drank during business hours, fired employees without cause and provided jobs to romantic partners. The allegations in the filing have not yet been tested in court.
Melanson, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Yahoo Canada News, denied the accusations on March 14, calling them "inaccurate and undignified” in a Twitter post.
"I am saddened that Ms. McCain has chosen to say such things and in this way, but even more disappointed as these statements are untrue and hurtful to myself and my loved ones,” Melanson tweeted. “My lawyers will respond through the appropriate channels.”
Melanson’s previous position as president of the Banff Centre ended earlier than expected in 2014, when he resigned to return to Toronto. McCain’s annulment filing charged that Melanson’s true motivation for leaving was to get away from accusations of sexual harassment during his time in Banff.
The Banff Centre’s current president, Janice Price, said in a statement to the Calgary Herald that no formal complaints were made related to the centre’s harassment policy and a settlement with a former employee was reached to the satisfaction of both parties.
TSO board member Sonia Baxendale will serve as the interim president and CEO.
"Sonia has the in-depth knowledge of the organization and skill set to continue to execute and build on the strategy in place,” the statement read. “She will step aside from her position on the Board and begin immediately as interim President & CEO until a new leader is appointed.”
A representative from TSO did not immediately reply to a request for comment.