Heathcliff Berru, founder of Life Or Death PR and Management, has been accused of sexual harassment by Amber Coffman of Dirty Projectors via social media.
Amber took to Twitter on Tuesday to tell of her experience with the music publicist, which involved him grabbing her ass and biting her hair. Overnight the tweets received an unprecedented and supportive reaction from many in the industry. Her supporters include: Judy Silverman of Motormouth Media, Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, and LA-based music publicist Beth Martiez, who all shared similar stories about Berru over Twitter.
As a consequence of the allegations, artists such as Wavves, DIIV and Speedy Ortiz have cut ties with the company, and Heathcliff Berru has resigned as CEO of Life Or Death. The company made a statement outlining the fact the company has a “zero tolerance policy for the type of conduct alleged”.
Was just re-telling/re-remembering a story abt how a very popular music publicist RUBBED my ass and BIT my hair at a bar a couple years ago
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016This was someone I barely knew and had just met. He did it in front of 4 of my male friends. Still makes me so damn mad thinking about it
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016Still mad at myself as well for not punching him in the nose, but I totally froze up. Weird survival instinct I guess
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016Just was looking at their current roster and it's amazing. People I know even. Funny how shitty, fake ass people can have so much success
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016And in case anyone was wondering who the ass rubbing, hair biting mother fucker was, I'm not afraid to say it-
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016It was Heathcliff Berru, at Life or Death PR and MGMT
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016I've been told many women have had scary stories about him for years but are scared to speak up. And dudes overlook it and keep hiring him
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016That's when another LA-based music publicist, Beth Martinez, replied with her experience with Heathcliff
Can verify this from personal experience https://t.co/otCFQKn8RY
— Beth Martinez. Hero. (@dangervillage) January 19, 2016.@Amber_Coffman he repeatedly put his hand down my shirt while driving me home after I told him to stop many times
— Beth Martinez. Hero. (@dangervillage) January 19, 2016@Amber_Coffman then "apologized" the next day and told me not to tell our mutual friend
— Beth Martinez. Hero. (@dangervillage) January 19, 2016@Amber_Coffman I was too ashamed to tell anyone for years, and took me years to realize how fucked up that was
— Beth Martinez. Hero. (@dangervillage) January 19, 2016@Amber_Coffman my stories aren't even comparatively bad to what has happened to other girls by this person
— Beth Martinez. Hero. (@dangervillage) January 19, 2016Judy Silverman and Bethany Cosentino then jumped in:
Someone is saying something important and you're all reading, but you all don't want to be involved.
— Motormouthmedia Judy (@motormouthmedia) January 19, 2016Cosby is the hugest case-in-point of the fear of women have to admit any form of harassment. We look dumb, nobody believes is, we are sluts
— Motormouthmedia Judy (@motormouthmedia) January 19, 2016I've known ambers story for 3 years. It was not mine to tell publicly. But people knew.
— Motormouthmedia Judy (@motormouthmedia) January 19, 2016I've known Beth's for longer.
— Motormouthmedia Judy (@motormouthmedia) January 19, 2016@motormouthmedia I genuinely thought most people knew stories like this and chose not to care. seems like not, I'm glad she said something
— HannahSilkChampagne (@hsilkchampagne) January 19, 2016Thank you @Amber_Coffman for bravely speaking the truth. Heathcliff Berru is a scumbag and I'm glad someone finally spoke up.
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) January 19, 2016@Amber_Coffman good for you for doing this. I was too freaked out to ever say anything. Seriously he's not a good person on any level.
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) January 19, 2016Amber woke the next day surprised to see her story had gone viral.
Just woke up to so many responses from last night and I'm stunned! I was really just venting an had no idea it would get such a response...
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016Thanks so much for all the support- seems clear that it can be helpful to share these stories. When it happened I was afraid of my own wrath
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016I told my friends and a few people in the music biz that I knew closely but that's it. I now wish I had said more sooner...
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016Maybe it could've spared more from having the same thing + worse happen to them. Unfortunately these kind of scenarios are common for women
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016What happened to me is of course the mellow side of the kind of things that happen to women- maybe it's not as easy to share certain stories
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016But I hope those who want to will feel more supported to do so
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016I do want to say that when this first happened, I told Domino records, who were working on projects with him + they stopped working with him
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016They told me they've held their commitment of not working with him ever since, and I really appreciate that gesture. More should follow suit
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016There are a lot of incredible artists on Life or Death PR that I respect very much and I hope this doesn't cause them too much of a headache
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016But something like that is just one small example of why so many women are scared to say anything. Now more than ever I realize that
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016Domino records asked me what I wanted them to do at the time- I said I couldn't make that decision for them. They made their own decision
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016More people need to offer their support and solidarity to women instead of putting the choice on them or making them demand it/beg for it
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016Since Amber spoke up, several other women and musicians have shared their stories:
dude this is real...had to tell him to fuck off and leave me alone at bonnaroo a couple years ago @Amber_Coffman https://t.co/6h2wTlLxB4
— Martika Finch (@mAAAtika) January 19, 2016@dangervillage @Amber_Coffman Had an experience or two where he was uncomfortably aggressive in ways I thankfully don't usually experience
— Shirley Braha (@shirleybraha) January 19, 2016@Amber_Coffman - sadly had a similar hb experience years ago in brooklyn. sexual harassment is a serious issue, thank you for speaking up.
— christy merriner (@merriner) January 19, 2016Thank you @Amber_Coffman in 2009 he grabbed my ass and then held me down onto my couch as he unzipped his pants &forced my hand on his dick.
— TEARIST (@_TEARIST_) January 19, 2016.@Amber_Coffman I told our "manager" at the time who said "we are going to have to get over that arent we" if I cared about my band.
— TEARIST (@_TEARIST_) January 19, 2016@Amber_Coffman this same night he roofied at least 2 other girls. he never touched me but i heard it all verbally. his crew is this best tho
— faithy wap (@faithsilva) January 19, 2016@harmonicait was my mgr for a second until he drunkenly tried to fuck the vocalist who was performing w me in our second time meeting him
— BALAM ACAB (@thebalamacab) January 19, 2016@motormouthmedia he tried to kiss me once after what I thought was a casual business meeting. I just turned my face &
— CHELSEA WOLFE (@CCHELSEAWWOLFE) January 20, 2016@motormouthmedia thought, what a dumb weirdo! sucks to know he was creeping on other women even harder
— CHELSEA WOLFE (@CCHELSEAWWOLFE) January 20, 2016A number of musicians and bands have since said they will no longer be working with Life Or Death PR:
. @HeathcliffB @LifeorDeathPR pic.twitter.com/1G0km0Liw6
— WAVVES (@wavves) January 19, 2016DIIV will no longer be working with Life or Death PR.
— DIIV (@DIIV) January 19, 2016we're thankful to the folks at life or death we worked w directly (not heathcliff). but after hearing these stories we're no longer w/ LoD
— sadie dupuis (@sad13) January 19, 2016wishing best to folks who worked there. they seem nauseated. but doesn't feel personally ok to work w a company built by an attempted rapist
— sadie dupuis (@sad13) January 19, 2016After what's come to light, Beach Fossils will no longer be working with Life or Death PR.
— Beach Fossils (@beachfossils) January 19, 2016safe to say we will no longer be working with @LifeorDeathPR - we stand with @Amber_Coffman & everyone affected by these inexcusable actions
— Mixpak (@Mixpak) January 20, 2016The following day, Heathcliff issued his own statement to LA Weekly:
I have been fighting a losing battle against drugs and alcohol for many years and will be checking into a rehabilitation facility in the hope that I can improve my chances of winning that fight. A year ago, I was confronted by a peer and began to try to clean up and make things right with therapy and with an eye towards quitting the addiction. The shame and sadness feels as strong now as it did then and I am making an immediate change.
I have already lost my wife, abandoned my family, and destroyed those I love as a result of my shameful, embarrassing, unacceptable behavior. I deeply apologize to them as well. By no means do they deserve to feel the pain of my actions. Please give them the space they deserve. They were the light at the end of a dark tunnel. I was married during some of these years and hid my problems from everyone well. Especially her and her family. Totally inexcusable.
In no way do these allegations reflect on Life or Death PR, its staff, or anyone associated with the company. These are my issues, not theirs. I could not be more proud of the company and what it stands for. That being said I have stepped down as the CEO and [am] relinquishing all responsibility to the current president, Nick Dierl. The company shouldn't have to deal with this distraction and I want Nick and the rest of the team to continue to do their good work while I take care of myself." – Heathcliff Berru.
Love that Heathcliff's initial statement uses "alleged." He knows damned well what he did. That's what I call a half assed apology
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 20, 2016A close friend of Heathcliff's, Killer Mike has issued a statement supporting his friend, and commending Amber’s bravery in coming forward:
My Publicist Lost his wife, biz & Rep. My friend Got an ear full from me about how fucked up he behaved. Amber deserves all our support
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016And she and those other women have mine.
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016My day to day publicist is Dunkin and he will continue to be. Cliff is still my friend and i will support him in being a better human being
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016Life or death is no more and cliff will be dealing with his drug and alcohol issues.
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016My real desire is to see These women Whole healthy and rocking out like great artist and members or the culture.
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016I'm glad The employees (former) of life or death had a plan ready for clients and we chug along without Cliff but with hope that he grows
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016Into the best version of himself we all know is there. My best wishes again to Amber and all the women involved. Your bravery is Admirable
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016
