Grammy Awards boss Deborah Dugan fired after suspension  

Grammy Awards boss Deborah Dugan has been sacked by the Recording Academy a few weeks after she was suspended over a misconduct allegation.

The Academy announced the news in a letter to members, citing "consistent management deficiencies and failures", BBC News reports.

Following her suspension, Dugan filed a complaint accusing her then employer of silencing her concerns over sexual harassment and voting irregularities.

Dugan said she was "disappointed" but "not surprised" about being fired.

"While I am disappointed by this latest development, I am not surprised given the Academy's pattern of dealing with whistleblowers," she wrote in a statement sent to AFP by her legal team.

"Instead of trying to reform the corrupt institution from within, I will continue to work to hold accountable those who continue to self-deal, taint the Grammy voting process and discriminate against women and people of colour," she continued.

"Artists deserve better. To me, this is the real meaning of 'stepping up.'"

The phrase "stepping up" referred to her predecessor Neil Portnow's now infamous comment that women should "step up" if they wanted music industry recognition.

In announcing Dugan's dismissal, the academy said its decision followed "two exhaustive, costly independent investigations relating to Ms Dugan and the allegations made against her and by her".

It continued: "These investigations were carried out by experienced individuals with no prior relationship to the Academy, interviewed a combined total of 37 witnesses, and reviewed numerous relevant documents and emails.