The writing was on the wall and rumors swirled all throughout the day but Charles Brownstein is officially out as the Executive Director at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund “effective immediately.”

The calls for Brownstein’s removal were raised again last week after the numerous revelations of abusers and harassers in the comic industry. Brownstein’s issues stem back to 2006 and that event along with other criticisms of the organization, some justified and some not, continued through the weekend until today’s event and change in leadership. Brownstein began with the organization in 2002.

Creators in the comic industry began to speak up how they would no longer support, or weren’t supporting, the CBLDF over Brownstein’s employment.

Read the CBLDF’s statement below:

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has accepted the resignation of Charles Brownstein as Executive Director, effective immediately. 

Our organization exists to serve the comics community and the First Amendment, and we can’t do that without an open and honest discourse. We believe our organization’s management and staff should be representative of and responsive to the community they serve. As we move forward, it will be with a renewed focus on accountability and transparency. And as we plan for the future with new leadership in place, we will work with our staff and human resources experts to continue developing policies that will make us a stronger organization. 

We hear and understand the concerns of our community and recognize that this is only a first step in building greater trust and understanding regarding our mission and how it is carried out.