Variety revealed on Friday that the president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is under investigation for sexual harassment

The investigation into John Bailey, 75, was launched after the Hollywood governing board received three sexual harassment allegations on Wednesday

Bailey is a cinematographer and was elected to the position in August

The president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is under investigation for sexual harassment, it was revealed Friday, showing just how systemic the issue is in Hollywood.

Variety broke the story, citing sources who said Academy President John Bailey came under investigation on Wednesday, when three harassment claims were filed with the movie industry's governing body.

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Bailey, a cinematographer, has been married to film editor Carol Littleton since 1972.

The 75-year-old was elected to the four-year position in August, and has seen the Academy through perhaps its darkest period - with the downfall of Harvey Weinstein and the subsequent #MeToo movement exposing the widespread mistreatment of women in the industry.

Variety reported on Friday that Academy President John Bailey is under investigation for sexual harassment. Bailey (pictured in March), a cinematographer, was elected to the position in August

The Academy has been largely lauded for its response to the #MeToo movement though, with the group quickly voting to expel Weinstein and Bailey overseeing the establishment of a new code of conduct for the industry.

For the first time, the Academy has a clear-cut process for investigating sexual harassment claims when they arise, and a prerogative to discipline or expel members they find guilty of abuses.

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Bailey has worked in Hollywood for more than forty years, shooting such films as The Big Chill, Groundhog Day and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

Bailey's election was historic in that he was the first 'below the line' industry worker to be chosen as Academy president since the 1980s.

He succeeded Cheryl Boone Isaacs in the position, the Academy's first black president.

When Bailey was elected, there was some controversy that a white male was selected for the position given the Academy's recent criticisms over diversity.

When confronted with those complaints, Bailey told Variety last year: 'What you just said is bulls**t. I was born a white man, and I can’t help it that I’m 75 years old. Is this some sort of limiting factor?'

He is a noted film history buff, and has been invested in the creation of the Academy's new museum currently under construction.

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If Bailey decides to step down, he would be replaced by Academy Vice President Lois Burwell, a make-up artist, until the next election in July.