In a newly-published report by New York Times, esteemed New York-playwright Israel Horovitz, who is also the father of Beastie Boys’ Ad-Rock, has become the latest celebrity lambasted for sexual misconduct.
The elder Horovitz has been accused of sexual abuse by a number of women for incidents that date back to 1986, and the most recent occurring as recently as last year. Among the incidents include an alleged rape, while the other allegations include forced kissing and groping.
Ad-Rock, born Adam Horovitz, has responded to the accusations against his father in the report. “I believe the allegations against my father are true,” he told the Times in a statement. “I stand behind the women that made them.”
Israel Horovitz, 78, himself responded to the news, telling the Times that he has “a different memory of some of these events, I apologize with all my heart to any woman who has ever felt compromised by my actions, and to my family and friends who have put their trust in me. To hear that I have caused pain is profoundly upsetting, as is the idea that I might have crossed a line with anyone who considered me a mentor.”
The news comes after Russell Simmons announced today (November 30) that he would be stepping away from his businesses after a second sexual assault allegation was made against him.