Longtime music govt Kevin Liles, Def Jam Recordings and Common Music Group are reportedly being sued by a lady for rape and sexual assault.
Former Def Jam Worker Accuses Kevin Liles of Rape
On Thursday (Feb. 27), Selection broke the information that an nameless feminine accuser not too long ago filed the swimsuit in New York Supreme Courtroom claiming she was sexually harassed and assaulted by Liles throughout her time as an govt assistant at Def Jam in the course of the early 2000s. The lawsuit alleges that Liles, who was the president of Def Jam on the time, started by making undesirable sexual advances and derogatory feedback towards the complainant. Issues ultimately escalated to him pushing his physique in opposition to her breasts and grabbing her buttocks.
In a single alleged occasion in 2002, Doe claims Liles raped her after she rebuffed his advances. Doe filed the lawsuit beneath the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Safety Legislation, which permits victims of crimes that occurred previous the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit earlier than March 1.
Jane Doe’s lawyer Lucas B. Franken launched a press release in regards to the new lawsuit.
“We commend our shopper for her willpower to hunt justice for the sexual abuse she endured, in addition to the sheer bravery it took to come back ahead in opposition to a well known, superstar determine,” he instructed Selection. “In our prolonged expertise defending sexual abuse victims, we now have witnessed a typical thread and that’s that they’re typically not alone of their abuse. Based mostly on the violent and egregious conduct, we count on that others had been additionally abused, and we hope that they will additionally come ahead to share their experiences and pursue justice.”
Liles, who turned 56 on Thursday, is at present celebrating his birthday in Bali with Def Jam founder Russell Simmons, in keeping with images on his Instagram account.
Kevin Liles is likely one of the most well-known execs in city music, having served as president of Def Jam Recordings and govt vp of The Island Def Jam Music Group from 1999 to 2004. He additionally served as EVP of Warner Music Group. In 2012, he cofounded 300 Leisure. Liles stepped down from his place on the label final September.
XXL has reached out to Def Jam and UMG for remark.