Case closed against Lake Tahoe businessman as allegations dropped
Submitted by paula on Mon, 12/16/2024 - 9:09pm
PR Entertainment and Bass Camp Festival President Paul Reder has been in a battle over the past four months, one that he never imagined having to face. On August 9, 2024, a former employee and person he says he tried to help filed a civil case against Reder, his company, and some members of his staff. That person, known in court as "John Doe," alleged Reder sex trafficked him as a minor and used his financial position to exploit the individual years into adulthood in incidents between 2012-2016.
On December 13, the complaint was dismissed with prejudice, meaning John Doe cannot bring his allegations to a court at any time in the future.
It is case closed, says Reder.
The Lake Tahoe resident says he is now going to try and put his life back together and focus on projects he has a passion for.
Since August, Reder has been facing the allegations and has been working on addressing and fighting them. He said in the court of public opinion he was "slaughtered," but is now grateful John Doe dropped the allegations and the court approved. The results are now part of the public record - filed and dismissed by the plaintiff.
In court filings, John Doe admitted he embezzled money from the job he had with one of Reder's businesses over a decade ago, the same period he accused Reder of inappropriate actions. John Doe was fired at the time over the embezzlement. The allegations he made of Reder never became charges and never made it to civil court.
To fight the allegations, and let his companies move forward, Reder stepped back and resigned from some roles, but he is now ready to get back to doing what he has done so successfully over the last 35 years he's been living at Lake Tahoe.
Reder said is now working on new projects for Lake Tahoe, the Bass Camp Music Label, and new and "exciting" events for the region. He says he has always dug in his heels for projects in a market he believes in.
His passion projects are not all work or music-related but also include philanthropy. He has been helping with Abundant Village in Zimbabwe and is planning a return trip there to help build the community's infrastructure.
Reder will be also focusing attention on giving back locally, and building more festivals and events as he closes a bad chapter and starts a new one.