According to Vice, Simple Plan have parted ways with tour photographer/videographer and touring bassist Chady Awad following accusations of sexual misconduct. This news comes after the band recently parted ways with bassist David Desrosiers for similar allegations.
Eric Lawrence, co-founder of the band’s management company Coalition Music, told Vice that they are no longer working with Awad and that they have reached out to a law firm about the accusations against him. Lawerence added:
“[A man told] a story he had heard second hand that we are nonetheless taking extremely seriously. We have put in place a process for the person involved to have the opportunity to confidently and safely tell their story.”
Awad also issued a statement to Vice saying that the allegations are “absolutely and totally false” and that he hasn’t worked with the band since February. He also went on to say that he had no plans to work with them in the future due to the cornavirus pandemic:
“We discussed all these things and the band management decided it made sense not to work together; the decision was not made because they took the allegations against me to be true. This is still my life and my reputation on the line here. I’m out of ideas for what more I can do, but there is just no truth to these rumours and I want to be clear about that.”