Carlos Kalmar at the Cleveland Institute of Music on May 10, 2021, when he was introduced as the conservatory’s principal conductor and director of orchestral and conducting programs. Photo by David Petkiewicz/Cleveland.com.
In Thursday’s (2/1) Cleveland Plain Dealer, Adam Ferrise writes, “The former principal conductor of the Cleveland Institute of Music sued the school late Wednesday, seeking $25 million and alleging defamation from a sexual harassment investigation that later cleared him of wrongdoing. Carlos Kalmar, a world-renowned conductor, accused the conservatory of ruining his reputation after it put him on leave last year amid the Title IX investigation. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Cleveland, also charged the school with retaliation, wrongful termination, and breach of contract, among other claims…. Cleveland Institute of Music President and CEO Paul Hogle, two vice presidents and the school’s former Title IX coordinator are named as defendants. School spokeswoman Kathleen Drohan said … that ‘CIM … will vigorously defend itself against the allegations, remaining focused on providing its students with exceptional educational opportunities.’… The investigation, launched in April, came to light after the school’s Title IX coordinator, Vivian Scott, emailed students saying she read a course evaluation and was ‘horrified’ at accusations against Kalmar…. No students or faculty members ever made a formal complaint against Kalmar, who fully cooperated with investigators … The investigation ultimately cleared him of any wrongdoing … The school placed him on an involuntary leave of absence.”
