Former Def Jam president Kevin Liles accused of sexual assault
Record executive Kevin Liles has been sued for sexual assault alongside Universal Music Group and Def Jam Recordings. A lawsuit was filed in Manhattan on February 27th, with an anonymous woman claiming Liles sexually assaulted her when she was his assistant between 2000 and 2002.
She claims she was hired in 1999, and Liles went on to allegedly sexually harass her several times. He allegedly “pressed his body against [her] breasts” and “grabbed [her] on the buttocks.”
In 2002, Liles is said to have made “sexually inappropriate comments and advances. Kevin Liles proceeded to physically force himself on top of [Jane Doe] where he began to sexually assault and ultimately rape her despite her continued protests.”
The accuser is asking for compensatory and punitive damages, claiming UMG and Def Jam “enabled, permitted, directed, controlled, approved, managed, operated and ratified the manner in which Liles engaged with employees.” The lawsuit was filed against Liles on his 57th birthday before the lookback window, which allows plaintiffs to file lawsuits that would usually be too old, closes on March 1st.
Liles immediately denied the allegations in a statement to Rolling Stone, assuring he was determined to clear his name of any wrongdoing.
“I absolutely deny the outrageous claims reported in the press this evening,” he said. “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.”
He added, “My attorneys and I will fully clear my name, and when we are successful, this anonymous accuser and her attorney will face a defamation lawsuit and every other available legal consequence.”
Liles was president of Def Jam between 1999 and 2004 and later became executive vice president of Warner Music Group. He founded 300 Entertainment in 2012 alongside Lyor Cohen, Todd Moscowitz, and Roger Gold; the label’s roster includes Young Thug, Gunna and Mary J Blige.
In September, Liles announced he was leaving the company. “I want to create more millionaires and more brands,” he told Hot 97. “So I think it’s important that [300 Entertainment] was a moment in time. I’m very supportive. I want them to be great, but God is calling me to do something bigger.”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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