Movies

Music Industry Powerhouse Sued for Shocking Sexual Assault Claims!

BBG News

According to a recently submitted legal claim, music industry professional Kevin Liles is facing allegations of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault and rape.

As reported by Variety, a woman who recently filed a lawsuit claims that Liles, who resigned as Warner Music Group Executive VP towards the end of last year, allegedly sexually assaulted her when she was working for Def Jam in the early 2000s.

The legal action she initiated, submitted at the New York Supreme Court, additionally lists Def Jam Recordings and their overarching corporation, Universal Music Group (UMG), among the accused parties.

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Liles and UMG for comment.

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, I held a prominent role as the president of Def Jam, and served as the executive vice president for The Island Def Jam Music Group. During this time, my accomplishments are well-recognized, but unfortunately, an allegation of assault was made against me by Jane Doe.

Despite the event in question supposedly taking place outside the usual time frame set by the statute of limitations, a recent amendment to the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law extends the possibility for plaintiffs to file lawsuits all the way up until March 1, 2025.

As per Jane Doe’s account, she joined Def Jam in the role of an executive assistant to the general manager approximately in the year 1999.

She claims that Liles started sexually harassing her shortly after she joined the record label.

He reportedly made disrespectful and disparaging remarks about her physical attributes and appearance, which were related to her being a woman.

Starting from around the year 2000, accusations arose about his intense campaign involving inappropriate behavior towards women. Anonymously, she alleges that he would forcibly push against her chest with his body and inappropriately touch her lower backside.

In a 2002 incident, the woman alleges that Liles came on to her before she reject him.

She claims he then forcibly raped her even as she continued to resist him.

Concerning UMG and Def Jam’s involvement in the lawsuit, she asserts that these labels were aware (or ought to have been) of the executive’s tendency towards violent acts, but they not only failed to act on this knowledge, but also fostered his behavior by enabling it among subordinate staff.

Partner Lucas B. Franken at law firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC made this statement to Variety: “We praise our client for her courage in pursuing justice for the sexual abuse she suffered, and for finding the strength to speak out against a prominent public figure.

In the course of many years advocating for victims of sexual abuse, we’ve noticed a recurring pattern: these victims are rarely isolated in their suffering. Given the nature of the cruel and extreme actions taken against them, it is likely that others have been victimized as well. We hope these individuals will find the courage to speak up, share their stories, and seek justice together.

2023 found me, as a management professional, embroiled in a legal matter involving the renowned artist Trey Songz. This lawsuit was brought forth against us both.

The unidentified woman, in her court filing, claimed that the executive chose to ignore numerous allegations leveled against Songz.

The lawsuit, which requested $25 million in damages, was settled last year.

Last September, Liles communicated through an internal notice that he was relinquishing his position as executive vice president at Warner Music Group.

The prominent figure in the music world, previously known for his career as a DJ, has decided to step down from 300 Elektra Entertainment, a branch of Warner’s record label.

In 2012, he and three other partners, including Lyor Cohen, Roger Gold, and Todd Moscowitz, established a label that traced its roots back to 300 Entertainment. Subsequently, he held the positions of chairman and CEO for this label.

Despite stating that his immediate aims after retiring would be to aid in the election of Kamala Harris as America’s first African-American female president and to back Democratic representatives in the House and Senate, Liles did not disclose any additional motives behind his decision to step down.

Liles leaving occurs at a time when Warner Music Group is undergoing significant changes in its executive hierarchy.

Previously, it had been made known that Max Lousada, the head of recorded music at Warner, and Julie Greenwald, Chairperson of Atlantic Recording Group (a significant branch under Warner Music Group), were planning to step down from their respective positions.

According to a memo from Warner Music CEO Robert Kyncl, there isn’t anyone presently filling the position left vacant by Liles at 300 Elektra Entertainment.

Rather than overseeing operations, the present team of 300 executives, including Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab, will now be in charge. However, they will be answerable directly to Kyncl.

According to his note, Liles intends to remain involved in the transition process. Although he’s stepping down by the end of September, he intends to carry on as a consultant for WMG and 300 Elektra Entertainment until the end of the year.

In his memo, Kyncl mentioned that the founder of 10K Projects, Elliot Grainge, would be taking over as CEO from the departing Atlantic CEO, Greenwald. Furthermore, it was stated that Grainge would report directly to Kyncl.

In 2022, Liles found himself connected with Warner Music Group following their acquisition of 300 Entertainment at a value of $400 million.

Previously operating as a standalone record company, it successfully lured a stellar array of chart-topping artists such as Young Thug (who’s currently facing legal issues), Megan Thee Stallion, Mary J. Blige, Metro Boomin, Fetty Wap, and others.

In previous instances, both Gunna and Migos were represented, whereas Megan Thee Stallion currently holds a separate contract with Warner Records directly.

In his note, Liles presented his successors, expressing that as dedicated stewards of our culture, it’s our duty to nurture and strengthen the upcoming leaders. When the opportune moment arrives, we will hand over the responsibility, symbolically passing the torch.

In Kyncl’s note, the head of Warner commended Liles for his ‘uplifting spirit’ and referred to him as a captivating leader who has excelled in various positions… artist manager, label creator, entrepreneur, high-ranking executive… he actually began his career as a disc jockey and songwriter.

Read More

2025-02-28 05:34

Previous post Sam Fox Pays Tribute to Late Partner Myra Stratton on Her 70th Birthday
Next post Gene Hackman and Wife’s Mysterious Deaths Spark Diet and Health Speculation