"What that means to us is that we help bands grow by giving them resources, like videos and pro recordings, at no cost to them. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. "In light of the allegations against co-founder Michael Johnston, he has been removed as . [1] Johnston was removed from his post as president and CEO of Audiotree following his arrest for felony unauthorized videotaping in November of 2021. Their struggles were hardly surprising, given the substantial changes in the roster coach Luke Richardson is working with. The company's principal address is 1644 N Honore St Ste 206, Chicago, IL 60622. The lawsuit alleges that Michael Johnston, 38, and his wife Kelly Johnston recorded the nanny and her friend while they were undressing or bathing. [16][17], In 2017 Audiotree started a new series named Far Out sessions, taking their work outside of the studio and recording live music sessions away from traditional music venues. Johnston, the label's co-founder and the owner of Chicago venues Schubas and Lincoln Hall, has been fired, according to a statement from Audiotree. It also has the power to move them to action. After discovering the cameras, the two women have experienced severe, emotional trauma, the suit says. He and his wife, Kelly Johnston, are also accused in a lawsuit filed by. CHICAGO, Mich. Chicago-based CEO Michael Johnston is facing a lawsuit claiming he set up hidden cameras to record a nude video of his nanny, according to a FOX affiliate in Illinois.. He is due in court later on Wednesday, according to the Sun-Times. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Johnston and his wife set up secret cameras around their house, while encouraging their nannies to get naked. In 2011, she and her husband gave over $100 million to create the Homer Stryker medical school at Western Michigan University. Before leaving town, Kelly Johnston encouraged the girls to use that bathtub while they looked after the couples two children, the lawsuit alleges. Following news of the allegations and civil suit, the company released a statement announcing that Johnston has been removed as President & CEO of Audiotree, Audiotree Presents, Lincoln Hall, Schubas, and Tied House. The company added that he is no longer a part of the Audiotree team and that cofounder Thurston would assume the CEO role. The suit was filed by two recent graduates of DePaul University, one of whom was hired in Dec. 2019 as a house manager, child caretaker and personal assistant while the other has worked as a nanny for the couples friends. The one-time CEO and president Chicago music venues Schubas and Lincoln Hall has pled guilty to criminal charges of secretly videotaping three women in his home. A judge ordered him to have no contact with the witnesses, according to the Cook County statea attorneys office. Video shows Michael Johnston moving a camera to record a jacuzzi bathtub in the master bedroom, the lawsuit states. The co-founder of the music label Audiotree and owner of Schubas Tavern and Lincoln Hall has been accused in criminal charges and in a civil lawsuit of setting up hidden cameras to record his nanny and her friend. Michael Johnston founded and owns Audiotree. . Located in Chicago, and known for the series Audiotree Live, Far Out, Audiotree Worldwide, and STAGED. Tonight (Nov. 15), Johnston has been removed as president and CEO of Audiotree, Audiotree Presents, Lincoln Hall, Schubas and Tied House. All Rights Reserved. The cameras mentioned were placed in areas the children didnt go, the suit says. Michael Johnston, the former CEO of Audiotree. On Nov. 10, Johnston appeared in bond court on a felony charge of making an unauthorized recording in a bathroom. Julie worked as a nanny for others in the couple's friend group. Michael Johnston was arrested Nov. 9 and released the next day on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond, according to court records. The two alleged they were then secretly videotaped undressing and bathing via inconspicuously placed spy cameras. The Registered Agent on file for this company is Josh S Kaplan and is located at 1950 N Elston Ave #200, Chicago, IL 60642. Johnston co-founded Audiotree and bought Schubas and Lincoln Hall with his. Our official statement regarding Michael Johnston is below pic.twitter.com/yZK3dCXuM4. In Illinois it is unlawful for anyone to video record or transmit live video of another person without their consent in a restroom. She said the cameras were not normal nanny cams, which were already in areas throughout the house, but were placed in private areas like the bathroom. They also invited Julie, a friend of Janes who nannied for the Johnstons close friends, to stay to keep Jane company. Luis Suarez and Norma Franco, who recently died of COVID-19 . [5][6], The company's series known as Audiotree Live is broadcast from the studio directly to YouTube and the Audiotree website for fans to listen live. ET: This article was updated to add a statement from one of the two women, via their attorney Gail Eisenberg. Click to reveal Our official statement regarding Michael Johnston is below pic.twitter.com/yN1gG86SZL, Audiotree (@audiotreemusic) November 16, 2021. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Johnston was co-founder of Lincoln Hall, founded a label and audio platform called Audiotree in 2011 and formerly operated Audiotree Music Festival in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Michael Johnston, cofounder of Chicago -based label Audiotree and owner of venues Schubas and Lincoln Hall, has been accused of using hidden cameras in his home to videotape and photograph. (Audiotree) A record label CEO is facing both legal woes, as well as professional ones after being booted out over his arrest. Michael Johnston, 38, who co-founded the music service Audiotree, is facing a felony charge of unauthorized taping. He and his wife, Kelly Halverson, arenamed in a civil suit brought by two accusers, Jane Doe and Julie Doe, according to NBC 5. Franchise Influencers: Corey Elias, Founder & Franchise Broker, Franchise Captain. Chicago attorney Gail Eisenberg represents the women in their civil lawsuit. The new allegations are based on the images of two other women found on the camera's. BrooklynVegan Staff Published: November 16, 2021. @audiotreemusic. Michael Johnston faces a separate felony charge of unauthorized video recording. A November 11 email from CWBChicago to Johnston's corporate account went unanswered. [] Michael Johnston pleaded guilty to charges of recording three women in his home. In an email, Johnstons attorney Damon Cheronis said, "Mr. Johnston takes these allegations seriously and will continue to work through the appropriate legal process.". The new charges stemmed from complaints police received from two of Johnston's other former household workers who contacted . Michael Johnston, 38, grew up in Portage before moving to Chicago . Halverson hasn't been charged. Update 11/18/21, 7:55 a.m. Michael Johnston, 38 is accused of setting up hidden cameras in the bathrooms of his home in Roscoe Village. The women are also afraid the footage the Johnstons taped has or will be posted on the internet, through intentional action or a security breach. The nanny found the hidden cameras in February 2020 after she noticed one of them in a picture frame pointed at a bathtub. On the days the women were scheduled to house sit, video footage shows Michael Johnston standing in the bathtub and positioning the camera to film the bathtub while reviewing the footage on his cellphone, the suit says. A civil lawsuit filed by the two women alleges that Michael Johnston, 38, former CEO of Audiotree, and his wife Kelly Johnston placed the cameras in their home and recorded the women without their consent as they undressed or bathed. Write by: . The women allege the couple set up hidden cameras in their Chicago home to capture nude footage. You can reach me by. In a statement, Audiotree announced that Johnston has been removed from his position, from which he oversaw the record label, along with several local music venues, including Lincoln Hall and. "As of Saturday, Nov. 12 . Two women filed civil suit against Chicago label and venue owner, Audiotree Cofounder Accused of Using Hidden Cameras to Take Nude Images, Watch Phoebe Bridgers, Cardi B Join SZA for Madison Square Garden Performance, Basement Jaxx, Underworld, Charlotte De Witte Lead Movement Festival Lineup, Michelle Yeoh Makes History With Everything Everywhere All at Once SAG Awards Win, SST Records Producer Glen Spot Lockett Dead at 72, Glastonbury Co-Organizer Promises Female Headliners in 2024 After All-Male Top Billing This Year, There Were Sidemen. On Feb. 14, Jane was undressing for a bath when she found a hidden video camera disguised as a picture frame that was pointing toward the bathtub, according to the lawsuit. 6. Additional victims came forward in March of last year when a former housekeeper and housesitter were also revealed to have been recorded in Johnstons home. Work. "We think its important to bring attention to the harms that can occur when someones privacy is violated the longterm effects and trauma to the victims," said Gail Eisenberg, attorney of the two women, who were roommates at the time and recent graduates of DePaul University. 104.152.108.142 Per the womens lawyer Gail Eisenberg, Jane worked for the couple beginning in December 2019 as a home manager, child caretaker, and personal assistant for the couple. Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale. Audiotree is a Chicago-based platform known for their YouTube channel that features live performances of artists and bands. In a statement, Audiotree announced that Johnston, the label's co-founder and the owner of Chicago venues Schubas and Lincoln Hall, has been removed from his position. ", A lawyer for Johnston said his client "takes these allegations seriously and will continue to work through the appropriate legal process.". Listen Watch Merch Back Spotify Bandcamp Playlists Apple Music Back Audiotree Live . Michael Johnston, the now-former owner of Chicago-based company Audiotree and several Chicago venues, has been sued in a civil suit that alleges he installed hidden cameras . He and his wife, Kelly, are also being sued by the two victims, a. CHICAGO A co-founder of Audiotree was removed from his role of president and CEO after allegations of videotaping naked women. The co-founder of a Chicago music company and recent president of two prominent North Side music venues is accused of secretly filming his nanny and her friend while they were undressed in private areas of his Chicago home, according to court records. According to a statement shared to social media by. Johnston co-founded Audiotree and bought Schubas and Lincoln Hall with his father in 2015. The main stage in the newly renovated Lincoln Hall in 2009. ", Gail Eisenberg, attorney for the two women, told the Sun-Times: "We think it's important to bring attention to the harms that can occur when someone's privacy is violatedthe long-term effects and trauma to the victims.".