Pollyanna President Out Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations

LEMONT, IL — Pollyanna Brewing and Distilling President and CEO Paul Ciciora is no longer involved with management or operations at the company after allegations of sexual misconduct, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

The company said in a second statement on Saturday that it became aware of numerous allegations involving Ciciora.

"We at Pollyanna have never tolerated sexual misconduct and it disgusts us to learn of these stories," the company said. "The victims of Paul’s misconduct should not be silenced and we feel it’s our duty to speak up."

According to Ciciora’s Facbook page, he left the company in March.

The company said it took an early allegation of Ciciora’s sexual misconduct very seriously and suspended him, sent him to counseling, implemented an HR and ethics program, started annual harassment training and enacted a zero tolerance policy.

"Paul was only allowed to come back when he met strict rehabilitation guidelines and we were confident that he was committed to abiding by Pollyanna’s focus on inclusion, diversity, and respect for others," the company said.

After new allegations, the company said it was clear that Ciciora could no longer be a part of Pollyanna’s future.

“We immediately got to work listening to the victim’s story and those that were a witness to it. With all the information in hand, we took swift action and within a weekend, the president and CEO of the company was out,” the company said.

Ciciora is a majority shareholder of the company, and Pollyanna said it is working all angles to address it.

Pollyanna said Ryan Weidner has fully taken over the duties of president and CEO from Ciciora, and co-founders Brian Pawola and Ed Malnar "will continue to take the needed actions to make craft beer more inclusive," according to the statement.

"We, Ryan/Brian/Ed/Don, stand by our words to take the needed actions to make craft beer more inclusive," the statement posted Saturday said. "We are proud of our employees for speaking up and will always have their back. We are committed to righting wrongs and doing the morally correct thing. We will continue to be allies and advocates of women, not just in craft beer, but everywhere."

Pollyanna has locations in Lemont, Roselle and St. Charles. The company recently added a distillery to its operations.

Also read: Parmesan's Frankfort Closes Amid Charges, Lawsuits Against Owner