Beastie Boys' Adam Horovitz sides with women accusing his father of sexual abuse

Bill Keveney | USA TODAY

Nine women who have accused playwright Israel Horowitz of sexual misconduct have the support of his son, Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys.

The women detail their allegations against Horovitz in a story Thursday in The New York Times. Some were in the teens and others were in their 20s when they say the incidents occurred.

The alleged abuse by Horovitz includes forced kissing, sexual touching and rape.

Adam Horovitz, who is familiar to Beastie Boys fans as Ad-Rock, gave The Times a statement indicating his support for the women. USA TODAY asked a Horovitz rep for a copy of the statement, but was referred to The Times story.

Adam Horovitz's statement reads: “I believe the allegations against my father are true, and I stand behind the women that made them.”

More: After Matt Lauer firing, NBC chief Andy Lack faces more questions about a network in crisis

Israel Horovitz, 78, is an award-winning playwright and founding artistic director of Gloucester Stage Company, a regional theater in Massachusetts.

The elder Horovitz told The Times he had a different memory of some of those events, but "I apologize with all my heart to any woman who has ever felt compromised by my actions."

Israel Horovitz was accused of misconduct at Gloucester Stage by six women in a 1993 Boston Phoenix article. The women, who were actresses or staff members between 1989 and 1992, said they were sexually harassed by the artistic director, the story says.

A letter on the Gloucester Stage website from theater board president Liz Neumeier announced Israel Horovitz had resigned and is no longer an ex officio member of the board of directors.

More: List: All of the Hollywood power players accused of sexual assault or harassment

Matt Lauer responds to firing, sexual misbehavior allegations After his sudden firing for alleged sexual misbehavior in the workplace, Matt Lauer responded in a written statement read by his former co-anchor Savannah Guthrie on 'Today.'

Neumeier wrote: "It is deeply troubling that the person whose work, for decades, has been most central to GSC’s mission and brand would so egregiously violate that space and put at risk the safety and welfare of those in his charge."

The letter acknowledges those alleging abuse: "Our hearts go out to the many women who are, once again, reliving the harassment and assaults they endured. We recognize that in the past their reports were grossly mishandled. The board is united and committed to ensuring that such behavior does not take place at Gloucester Stage and we will take any reports seriously."

If you have ever experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct while working in the entertainment industry, we’d like to hear from you. Send us a secure tip using the instructions at newstips.usatoday.com.