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Tribune News Service
Tribune News Service
Business
Jessica Chia

Disney music executive arrested, charged with sexually abusing two underage girls

A 58-year-old Disney executive has been charged with three felony counts of child sexual abuse.

Jon Heely, the director of music publishing at Disney, was arrested and charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child, Variety reported.

The 58-year-old, who was arrested on Nov. 16 and released six days later on $150,000 bail, is accused of abusing two underage girls about a decade ago.

One alleged victim was 15. The other was abused for four years starting at the age of 11, according to the charges.

His attorney Robert Helfend said Heely "vehemently denies these allegations."

Heely, who oversees the licensing of music from Disney films, pleaded not guilty on Thursday. He faces up to nine years and three months in prison if convicted.

He was suspended from Disney late Friday, with a spokesperson telling Variety, "Immediately upon learning of this situation tonight, he has been suspended without pay until the matter is resolved by the courts."

Heely's Twitter bio reads, "Disney Concerts and living to glorify God in all things."

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