WASHINGTON, D.C. (WMAR) — The co-owner of the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. and chairman of I.M.P, the promotion company heading operations at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, is stepping away from his post while recent prostitution charges against him make their way through the courts.
Montgomery County Police arrested 60-year-old Seth Hurwitz on August 21, after he showed up at a massage business for an arranged meeting in which he was allegedly going to pay for sexual favors.
RELATED: Md. and D.C. concert promoter charged with soliciting prostitution from massage therapist
The arrest stemmed from an incident at the business a week before, where a woman accused Hurwitz of making unwanted sexual advances towards her while she was giving him a massage.
Police say the victim notified them, at which point they had Vice detectives listen in on a conversation between Hurwitz and the woman, where the two scheduled the meeting.
WMAR-2 News obtained an internal email sent out by Hurwitz to his staff, notifying them on his decision to take a leave of absence while tending to legal matters;
As I’ve said previously, I’m very sorry for any embarrassment and stress that my situation is causing all of you. I don’t want this to affect the amazing work that you do or impact how you make our venues what they are. That wouldn’t be fair.
As anyone who knows our concert and venue businesses well is aware, I don’t have much to do with actually running them these days, but to eliminate distraction, I’m stepping aside for the time being until the matter is resolved. As always, Donna Westmoreland, our COO, will be at the helm. She’s been with us for 29 years and has been the leading force of the company for about a dozen years, so together with Melanie Cantwell and her booking team and Ed Stack running production, as well as each of the venue managers – and all of you – I know this will be seamless.
I want to let the legal process take its course without my issue getting in the way of our business. I’m looking forward to a positive resolution to my situation and thank you as always for all you do to make us the company we are.
See you in a while...but not right now.
Hurwitz is currently free on $5,000.00 bail.
His next court appearance is scheduled for September 26, at 8 a.m. at the Montgomery County District Court in Rockville.
