Cleveland Orchestra fires concertmaster, musician after sexual misconduct probe

The Cleveland Orchestra fired William Preucil, its concertmaster of 23 years, and Massimo La Rosa, its principal trombonist, after an investigation found that both men engaged in sexual misconduct.

The probe by the New York law firm Debevoise and Plimpton was launched in August after a Washington Post article reported allegations about Preucil and two other musicians. Preucil was suspended after the article appeared; La Rosa was suspended in September. Investigators spoke to more than 70 people, including current and former orchestra members, leadership and staff, and musicians outside the orchestra.

The report stated that 11 women had told credible stories of sexual misconduct by Preucil, 60, between 1996 and 2007. The youngest was 17 at the time of the alleged abuse. Preucil’s behavior included requesting sexual favors for lessons, exposing himself and “engaging in sexual activity with a junior female colleague who was too afraid to stop the encounter due to Preucil’s … position of authority,” according to the report.

Seven women described sexual misconduct by La Rosa, 43, between 2010 and 2012, including inappropriate touching over and under their clothes and partially removing students’ clothing, or his own, during lessons.

Preucil admitted sexual contact with three students. He also said he told a sexually explicit story to a female violinist, but denied other misconduct, according to the report.

La Rosa admitted to attempting to kiss a student during a lesson and that he sometimes touched students, though he said he did so for pedagogical purposes.