Paul Reder Steps Down from Bass Camp Festival Amid Lawsuit

In a recent statement from Bass Camp Festival, it was announced that Paul Reder is stepping down from his position as president to pursue new opportunities. This decision comes in light of a lawsuit alleging sex trafficking and abuse related to events that occurred between 2012 and 2016.

Replacing Reder will be Nick Rogers, who is also a codefendant in the lawsuit. Bass Camp shared this leadership change in a statement released on Monday, which highlighted Rogers’ long-standing involvement with the festival since its inception in 2013 and his promotion to a partnership role in 2018.

The statement emphasized that this “leadership transition marks a new chapter for the company.” However, the lawsuit indicates that the anonymous plaintiff has accused Rogers of enabling some of Reder’s alleged offenses.

Rogers was named among three defendants in the lawsuit, alongside Reder’s colleague, Matthew Stegemiller, and his sister, Phyllis Weiner. The complaint claims these individuals, as well as brands like Columbia Sussex and Reder’s own PR Entertainment, “knew or should have known” about Reder’s unlawful actions.

Specifically, the lawsuit states that Reder “instructed Rogers” to provide the plaintiff with a place to sleep when Reder’s family members would visit. The plaintiff reportedly slept on Rogers’ couch several times starting in October 2014.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Rogers supplied Reder with drugs, including cocaine, MDMA, mushrooms, and cannabis, which Reder would pressure the plaintiff to consume. Rogers also purportedly provided transportation for the plaintiff, taking him to the hospital after Reder’s sexual abuse allegedly resulted in urinary tract infections and strep throat.

Bass Camp Festival previously commented to EDM Identity that they are “preparing a full-fledged legal defense to vindicate all defendants on the merits.” When inquired whether Rogers’ appointment signifies a shift in the company’s stance on Reder’s innocence or if it remains under Reder’s PR Entertainment, a spokesperson did not provide a response.

In related news, Bass Camp recently announced that Space Laces would no longer be performing at an October 26 event where he was originally set to headline. The venue has also been changed from Cargo Concert Hall to The Alpine just two days prior to the event.