The chief of Time’s Up, the celebrity-backed organization that campaigns against sexual harassment, has resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations against her own son, according to a new report.
Lisa Borders announced on Monday that she was stepping down as CEO to “address family concerns that require my singular focus.”
Four days earlier, Borders’ son Garry “Dijon” Bowden Jr. was accused of groping a Santa Monica woman, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Celia Gellert told the Times that Bowden, a life coach, photographer and podcast host, touched her inappropriately during a “healing session” at her home on Jan. 21.
The 36-year-old allegedly touched her genitalia, kissed her neck and rubbed his erect but clothed penis against her — leaving Gellert feeling “violated.”
“It was not healing. It was disgusting,” said Gellert, a yoga teacher.
As the inaugural chief of Time’s Up, sources told the Times that Borders’ role “was in conflict with being a mother who was taking active steps to defend her son.”
Borders had notified the Time’s Up board within 24 hours of learning of the allegations lodged against her son. She and the board members considered whether the situation undermined Time’s Up mission — and, ultimately, Borders agreed to resign.
“Lisa’s decision to step down was the right one for her — and for the organization,” the person said.
The Time’s Up movement was birthed from the chorus of sexual misconduct allegations against some of Hollywood’s most powerful men, including movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
In October, Borders was named CEO of the group, which has raised more than $22 million in its legal defense fund to help sexual harassment victims.
“We can no longer stand by and tolerate women’s voices not being heard,” she said at a press conference announcing her appointment.
Bowden’s lawyer Alan Jackson denied the allegations, saying he gave Gellert a massage that she requested.
“My client vehemently denies that any inappropriate or nonconsensual touching occurred at any time,” Jackson said.
The lawyer provided a text exchange between Gellert and Bowden that shows she thanked him for the massage and called it “gentle and authentic and loving.”
Gellert, who posted the accusations on Facebook, said she did so because “I don’t want it to happen to anyone else.”
“And I want to be strong and stand my ground and speak my truth,” she said.
In a statement late Thursday, Time’s Up confirmed the reasoning behind Borders’ resignation.
“On Friday, Lisa Borders informed members of Time’s Up leadership that sexual assault allegations had been made against her son in a private forum,” the group said. “Within 24 hours, Lisa made the decision to resign as president and CEO of Time’s Up and we agreed that it was the right decision for all parties involved. All of our actions were fully guided by our support for survivors.”