LOS ANGELES (BLOOMBERG) – Time’s Up, an organisation formed last year to combat sexual harassment and assault in the workplace, is now coping with a crisis within its own ranks.

Chief Executive Officer Lisa Borders, who announced she was stepping down earlier this week, left the organisation because her son was accused of sexual misconduct, Time’s Up disclosed late on Thursday (Feb 21).

“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 in an e-mailed statement.

“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.”

Time’s Up issued the statement after the Los Angeles Times reported that Ms Borders’s son, Mr Garry “Dijon” Bowden Jr, was accused of violating a woman during a massage.

A lawyer for Bowden disputed the woman’s account, saying there was no inappropriate or non-consensual touching, according to the Times.

Ms Borders and her son couldn’t immediately be reached by Bloomberg.

When Ms Borders announced her resignation earlier this week, she said it was to address “family concerns that require my singular focus”.

The shake-up leaves Time’s Up in need of a new leader. Ms Borders, a former Coca-Cola Co executive and president of the Women’s National Basketball Association, helped raise the profile of the group.

Time’s Up said this week that Chief Operating Officer Rebecca Goldman would be serving as interim CEO while it conducts an executive search.

“We remain committed to our mission to create, safe and dignified work for women of all kinds,” the group said.

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