Ballet Master Retires Amid Sexual Misconduct Probe

For more than four decades, Peter Martins helped to shape the New York City Ballet — first as a dancer and then as an artistic leader.Late Monday he informed the company's board that he would be retiring effective immediately.Martins had been on a leave of absence since last month amid an investigation looking into sexual misconduct claims.Martins has also served as artistic director of the School of American Ballet. He is also retiring from his role at the school.The New York Times reports that Martins continued to disavow the misconduct allegations in his letter to the board:

"I have denied, and continue to deny, that I have engaged in any such misconduct," Mr. Martins, 71, wrote in a letter dated on Monday informing the board of his retirement. "Mr. Martins, who has been on leave as the company investigates his actions, added, "I cooperated fully in the investigation and understand it will be completed shortly. I believe its findings would have vindicated me." "Charles W. Scharf, the chairman of City Ballet's board, issued a statement on Monday thanking Mr. Martins for his contributions, but noted the investigation will continue: "The board takes seriously the allegations that have been made against him and we expect the independent investigation of those allegations to be completed soon."

Several current and former dancers have come forward to detail verbal and physical abuse. Other dancers have backed Martins. The ballet company and its school will begin the search for a new ballet master in chief. Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.