File: Oliver Parini Ben Bergstein and April Werner Landlords of the North End Studios two primary locations, in Winooski and Burlington, are terminating their leases with the organization in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations levied against cofounder Ben Bergstein. The majority of the board members for the Vermont Performing Arts League, a nonprofit that oversees the organization, have also resigned as has one of their replacements. The shakeup comes weeks after VTDigger.org revealed substantial allegations of sexual misconduct against Bergstein, who founded the performing arts league in 1978 alongside his wife and business partner, April Werner. Four of the alleged victims said Werner knew about her husband s behavior but brushed it off, according to the article. Both Bergstein and Werner have denied
Three Burlington city councilors called for Benjamin Bergstein to step down from his post as president of the Vermont Performing Arts League, a week after VTDigger.org.