Marcelo Gomes, principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre has submitted his resignation from the company amid an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct

Marcelo Gomes, 38, a high-profile principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, has resigned amid an investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct eight years ago, abruptly leaving the second ballet company in the city to be rocked by misconduct allegations.

American Ballet Theatre said Thursday it initiated an independent investigation after learning of a 'highly concerning' allegation about Gomes on Saturday. 'ABT does not tolerate the alleged behavior,' the company said.

American Ballet Theatre said the alleged misconduct did not involve any current or former members of the company and did not occur while he was an employee.

'Amid the investigation, Mr. Gomes put forth his resignation,' said the statement from Chairman Andrew F. Barth.

Gomes has been a prominent figure in the New York-based company where his commanding technique and ebullient stage presence is put to use in countless lead roles

Gomes, who is a native of Brazil, was invited to join ABT in 1997 at age 18 and was promoted to principal dancer in 2002.

He's danced Twyla Tharp's Sinatra Suite and has been allowed to leave ABT for different projects, including as a guest artist with the Kirov and The Royal Ballet.

He made his debut with the Bolshoi Ballet in 2013.

Gomes has appeared in Matthew Bourne's The Car Man and Swan Lake, and as Carabosse in The Sleeping Beauty.

American Ballet Theatre said the alleged misconduct did not involve any current or former members of the company and did not occur while he was an employee

Gomes has a steady partner, choreographer and dance teacher Nick Palmquist, left

After the pair met through their work, while Nick was married to wife Sarah, Nick realized he was gay, came out to his wife and he and Gomes got together

Longtime New York City Ballet chief Peter Martins announced he will distance himself away from the company earlier this month

He received a Dance Magazine Award in 2015 and choreographed the Under Armour 'I Will What I Want' TV campaign starring ballerina Misty Copeland.

According to his Instagrams, Gomes is dating a choreographer and dance teacher Nick Palmquist. who he met through work.

In an interview in 2016, Palmquist revealed he fell in love with Gomes while married to his wife Sarah, who he had been with for six years.

He came out to wife almost two years ago now, and he and Gomes are together.

Gomes' resignation comes less than a month after New York City Ballet said its longtime leader Peter Martins was taking a leave of absence during an investigation into a sexual harassment.

The company hired a law firm to conduct the investigation after receiving an anonymous letter accusing Martins of past harassment.

Martins referred to the allegations as 'false claims.'