Features
I.M.P. Founder Seth Hurwitz Arrested And Charged With Solicitation
– Seth Hurwitz
Seth Hurwitz, chairman and founder of Washington, D.C.-based promotions company I.M.P., was arrested and charged on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution after Maryland’s Montgomery County Department of Police was contacted by a licensed massage therapist, according to a police statement Aug. 21.
The alleged incident took place on Aug. 15 during a massage at the therapist’s place of business. According to the police report, the therapist declined a request to provide a massage at Hurwitz’s home, and had ended the initial session early “due to Hurwitz’ increasingly inappropriate” behavior. Following subsequent texts and a phone call the next day, an appointment was made for Aug. 21 when Hurwitz was arrested at the business. He has since been released on $5,000 bond.
Police claim there may be additional solicitation victims.
Hurwitz’s attorney, Paul F. Kemp, of Ethridge, Quinn, Kemp, McAuliffe, Rowan and Hartinger, in Rockville, Md., released the following statement: “In response to the numerous inquiries about the misdemeanor charge placed yesterday, it is far too early to comment on the allegation. The facts will come out in due course. In the meantime, we ask that you give consideration to Seth and his family. Seth is presumed innocent under our laws. We look forward to a prompt resolution of this case.”
The I.M.P. founder and chairman sent his employees a note that read: “Folks… Obviously the recent events have caused a great deal of embarrassment to everybody. We are working to resolve this…I only ask that you don’t pass judgment until that day. But, until then, this is not a matter that concerns our business and please soldier on as usual, doing the great jobs that have made us who we are…and I say WE because who we are is not just about me. I am, however…VERY sorry for any embarrassment & stress this is causing any of you.”
Hurwitz, who was recently on the cover of Pollstar’s Independents Issue, is one of the most outspoken and successful independent live business owners in the industry. The 9:30 Club is a perennial Best Club finalist at the Pollstar Awards, and Hurwitz has been a regular contender for Independent Promoter of the Year.
Other venues I.M.P. owns or operates include The Anthem ( 6,000-capacity) opened in Oct. 2017 as part of the $2.5 billion Southwest waterfront waterfront development project; the Lincoln Theatre (cap 1,225), and the renovated Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, (cap 19,000). I.M.P. has a booking deal with U Street Music Hall (capacity 500, owned by Will Eastman) but does not handle all programming at the venue.