facebook-pixel

New Mexico film union leader resigns amid misconduct claims

Albuquerque, N.M. • A prominent figure in New Mexico’s film industry facing allegations of sexual misconduct has resigned as a business agent at one of the state’s largest unions.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 480 announced Sunday in a statement that Jon Hendry stepped down following a membership meeting in Albuquerque.

The move came after two women said in a lawsuit filed this month that Hendry harassed and discriminated against them when they were union employees.

One woman accused Hendry of touching her inappropriately, while another charged Hendry subjected her to “discriminatory conditions, including an explicit quid pro quo for sex,” according to the lawsuit.

“The Local considers the allegations made in the lawsuit to be very serious and has launched a comprehensive investigation of the plaintiffs’ claims,” the union said in a statement. “The Local does not condone acts of discrimination or harassment of any kind and strongly condemns such behavior. The Local stands for protecting all employees against such actions.”

Hendry referred all questions to the union’s attorney, who declined to comment.

The resignation also comes after Richard Ellenberg, the chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, was forced to resign after he defended Hendry. He was accused of questioning the credibility of sexual misconduct allegations against Hendry and overseeing a delegate process some said favored certain candidates.

“I regret the way in which I have managed complaints of survivors who have come forward about sexual harassment, and take full responsibility to continue to learn and grow so that I can be an advocate and ally in the future,” Ellenberg wrote in a letter to Democrats.

Hendry also had served as president of the New Mexico Federation of Labor. The union said Hendry is no longer its president.