Kevin Liles Faces Sexual Assault Allegations in New Lawsuit

In a shocking turn of events, former Def Jam president Kevin Liles is facing accusations of sexual assault as detailed in a recent lawsuit filed in Manhattan.

The Allegations

A new lawsuit has emerged against Kevin Liles, the ex-president of Def Jam, alleging sexual assault. The suit, filed on February 27 in Manhattan, features an anonymous plaintiff referred to as Jane Doe, who claims that Liles sexually assaulted her while she was employed as his executive assistant.

The alleged incidents reportedly occurred more than two decades ago, with the lawsuit targeting Liles, as well as Universal Music Group and Def Jam Records. According to the legal filing, Jane Doe began her role in 1999 and claims to have experienced multiple instances of sexual harassment from Liles during 2000 to 2002, a time when he held a supervisory position over her.

Details of the Case

The lawsuit unfolds harrowing claims. Alongside accusations of groping, Jane Doe alleges that Liles made “sexually inappropriate comments and advances” and even “physically forced himself on top of [Jane Doe], where he began to sexually assault and ultimately rape her despite her continued protests.”

Kevin Liles has responded to the allegations, vehemently denying them and calling the claims “outrageous.” He stated, “I absolutely deny the outrageous claims reported in the press this evening,” in a statement to Rolling Stone and Variety. He further emphasized his commitment to maintaining a good reputation, saying, “After nearly 40 years of service to our culture, I’ve intentionally built a reputation for doing things the right way, treating people the right way, and empowering women. It is a shameful reality that these lies spread so freely.”

Kevin Liles in 2023. CREDIT: Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images

Legal Proceedings and Implications

Liles asserts that he, along with his attorneys, will work to clear his name. He mentioned that if successful, the anonymous accuser and her legal representation would face a defamation lawsuit along with other potential legal repercussions.

This case has gained traction thanks to a two-year lookback window established in New York City in 2000, allowing individuals to file lawsuits related to gender-motivated violence even if the statute of limitations has expired.

The lawsuit claims that both Universal Music Group and Def Jam should be held responsible for the alleged abuse, contending that they “enabled, permitted, directed, controlled, approved, managed, operated and ratified the manner in which Liles engaged with employees.” Furthermore, the plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial, as reported by Rolling Stone.

Background on Kevin Liles

Kevin Liles was a prominent figure in the music industry, serving as President of Def Jam and EVP of Island Def Jam until 2004. Post his tenure at Def Jam, he co-founded 300 Entertainment with Lyor Cohen, which hosted various artists including Fetty Wap, Mary J. Blige, and Young Thug.

In 2022, Liles joined Warner Music after the company acquired 300 Entertainment, but he later resigned from his role as chairman and CEO late last year.

Conclusion

What are your thoughts on the allegations against Kevin Liles? Do you think the music industry is doing enough to tackle issues of harassment and abuse?

FAQs

• What are the main allegations against Kevin Liles? Kevin Liles is accused of sexual assault and harassment by an anonymous plaintiff, who claims the incidents occurred during her employment as his executive assistant over 20 years ago.
• What actions has Kevin Liles taken in response to the lawsuit? Liles has denied the allegations and stated that he will clear his name. He also hinted at filing a defamation lawsuit against the accuser if successful.
• What does the lawsuit seek? The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages from Liles, Universal Music Group, and Def Jam Records, claiming they should be held liable for the alleged abuse.
• How does the two-year lookback window in New York City affect this case? The lookback window allows individuals to file lawsuits related to gender-motivated violence even if the original statute of limitations has expired.
• What was Kevin Liles’ role in the music industry? Liles served as President of Def Jam and later co-founded 300 Entertainment, which has represented several notable artists.

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