Veteran music executive Kevin Liles is facing a new sexual assault lawsuit filed by a Jane Doe, who alleges that Liles harassed and raped her during her employment at Def Jam Recordings between 1999 and 2002.
The lawsuit also names Def Jam and its parent company, Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing them of negligence and failure to act despite purported awareness of the alleged misconduct.
Legal Basis of the Lawsuit
Filed in New York Supreme Court, the lawsuit was brought under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law (VGMVPL). The 2022 amendment to this law allows survivors whose claims were previously time-barred to file suit before March 1, 2025.
The plaintiff asserts that Liles used his position of power within Def Jam, where he was an influential executive, to sexually harass, coerce, and assault her during her tenure at the company. The allegations culminate in an accusation of rape in 2002.
Liles’ Response and Potential Defamation Counterclaim
In response to the lawsuit, Liles issued a statement to Variety, strongly denying the allegations and criticizing the manner in which the lawsuit was made public.
“I absolutely deny the outrageous claims reported in the press this evening,” Liles stated.
He further claimed that his attorneys had not yet seen the actual lawsuit, as it was allegedly shared with media outlets before being formally posted by the court.
Liles also spoke about his long-standing reputation in the music industry, stating:
“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.”
Additionally, Liles suggested that his legal team would pursue a defamation lawsuit against the accuser and her attorney, should his name be cleared.
Def Jam and Universal Music Group Implicated
Alongside Liles, Def Jam and UMG are named as defendants, with the lawsuit alleging that the companies were aware of the alleged misconduct yet failed to intervene or protect employees from harm.
The corporate liability claim suggests that workplace policies at the time may not have adequately addressed or prevented sexual harassment and assault.
Previous Allegations Against Liles
This lawsuit follows a $25 million sexual assault lawsuit filed against Liles in 2023, further intensifying legal scrutiny around the former Def Jam executive.
Legal and Industry Implications
The lawsuit underscores the continuing legal exposure of major music industry figures and corporations under evolving sexual assault and workplace harassment laws. With the VGMVPL’s extended filing window, more cases involving decades-old allegations may surface.
If successful, the lawsuit could set a precedent for future claims against entertainment executives and their employers, particularly concerning corporate liability in cases of alleged workplace misconduct.
As of now, Def Jam and Universal Music Group have yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
