With questions swirling in Canada about the surprise resignation of Penguin Canada president David Davidar, the company issued a statement Friday afternoon announcing that Penguin’s former rights and contracts director Lisa Rundle charged Davidar with sexual harassment in an action yesterday. The statement added that Davidar was asked to leave the company last month, and while it had been unclear just when Davidar’s resignation, announced Tuesday, would become effective, Penguin said he will have no further involvement with the company.
Penguin said it expects to soon name a new head of the company who will report to Penguin USA CEO David Shanks, who was given overall responsibility for Penguin Canada when Davidar’s resignation was first announced.
In addition to the sexual harassment charges, Rundle filed several other claims against Penguin, including wrongful termination. Penguin denied the wrongful termination charge, saying Rundel left “after having declined to pursue career opportunities within the organization.”
