Kevin Liles, former Def Jam executive, requests dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit against him.
Kevin Liles, the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings, is seeking to have a sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. The lawsuit, filed in February 2023 by an unnamed plaintiff referred to as Jane Doe, accuses Liles of sexually harassing her during her tenure at Def Jam from 2000 to 2002, culminating in allegations of sexual assault and rape. Liles has publicly denied these allegations, describing them as “outrageous” and “shameful lies.”
In recent legal developments, Liles’ attorneys filed a motion with Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald requesting the dismissal of the case with prejudice. They argue that the claims made by Doe are “entirely false” and also emphasize that the statute of limitations for such claims has expired. Legal documents submitted in New York cite the alleged incident occurring in 2002, which they claim is beyond the timeframe allowed by New York law for reviving time-barred sexual misconduct claims.
The motion emphasizes that prior to this lawsuit, Liles had no record of sexual impropriety. Furthermore, Liles’ legal counsel contends that Doe’s allegations lack substantiation and specificity, pointing to vague assertions regarding allegedly derogatory remarks made about her gender and appearance, as well as a lack of detail in describing the alleged assault.
In a related filing, UMG Recordings, the parent company of Def Jam, argues that it cannot be held responsible for the claims made against Liles. The company asserts that if the alleged conduct took place, it was unrelated to any business activities of the record label.
Doe’s lawsuit came shortly after Liles’ departure from Warner Music’s 300 Elektra Entertainment, where he served as CEO. The lawsuit claims that UMG and Def Jam were aware, or should have been aware, of Liles’ alleged behavior and his tendency to engage in such conduct. The client roster at 300 includes notable artists such as Mary J. Blige and Megan Thee Stallion, making Liles’ exit significant within the context of the music industry.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Liles’ team continues to maintain that the allegations against him are unfounded and legally insufficient. The outcome of this case could have implications for Liles’ reputation and career in an industry already rife with issues surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct. The legal strategies employed in this instance highlight the complexities involved when addressing claims of this nature within the realm of public figures.
