The music festival space has not been kind to CEOs. Just a month after the Astronomer CEO sparked huge uproar and created meme-fests on social media, another CEO was accused of sexual harassment, battery, and assaulting a former co-worker during a concert. The internet couldn’t help but be reminded of the unfortunate kiss-cam reveal.
Amerilodge Group CEO, Asad Malik, allegedly ‘kissed and molested’ his former employee during a Justin Timberlake concert in February. Stephanie Starling, the hotel manager, filed a lawsuit against the CEO, with no official statement from the Group yet. However, it was noted in the lawsuit that Starling was fired from her role shortly after the accusations were made public.
Who is Asad Malik?
Asad Malik is the CEO and President of the Amerilodge Group. He has been recognised by Ernst & Yound as EY Entrepreneur of the Year and received the Michigan Economic Bright Spot Award. He is also on the global board for IHG Owners Association and advised Hilton’s Tru. He started his journey in the hospitality industry in 2006 and opened the Holiday Inn Express in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
A graduate from the University of Michigan, the CEO had treated his employees, including Starling, with VIP tickets to the Timberlake concert.
Accusations against Malik
Starling’s lawsuit contained several explicit details and allegations against Malik, who tried to force himself upon her in several ways. Despite Starling’s visible discomfort, as per the lawsuit, Malik allegedly was ‘looking at her lips’, and thinking of the kiss.
He had earlier begged the executive to kiss him and reportedly said, “bet it would be a good kiss too.”
Judging Malik’s behaviour, Starling was terrified and asked her supervisor for their presence. However, Malik allegedly managed to secure a seat right beside her and was accused of touching Starling inappropriately during the concert. As per reports, Starling was trembling after this experience and called her father in tears, determined to get the police involved. Her seniors overheard the call and vowed to report the Amerilodge Group’s CEO, as per the lawsuit.
However, it did not end there. Starling alleged in the lawsuit that Malik, later that night, drove her to an area close to one of Amerilodge’s hotels and then remarked, “Time for that kiss.”
What came after?
While an official complaint was drawn up with the Human Resources department, two days later, an independent probe was launched into the matter.
The lawsuit claimed that Starling was fired after the accusations were made public, as per the Detroit Free Press. Her work email account was abruptly cut off on March 12 when she told a supervisor her duress, amid gossiping co-workers.
Furthermore, she received an acknowledgement from the company that said they accepted her resignation. However, she never tendered one, as per the lawsuit she filed, and claimed that she was “terminated” instead.
Sterling worked at Amerilodge for 8 years and has been working there as a Sales Manager since March 2017. She has also worked with prominent hotels like Marriot and Hilton.