Former Grammy Awards chief Neil Portnow is facing a lawsuit filed by a musician who alleges that he raped her five years ago.
The civil complaint, filed in Manhattan, accuses Portnow of drugging and sexually assaulting the woman in a New York City hotel room in the summer of 2018. The plaintiff, a foreign professional instrumentalist, claims that the incident occurred during a work-related meeting with Portnow, as per Deadline.
Lawsuit Against Neil Portnow
The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, outlines the woman's allegations, stating that she became disoriented and incapacitated after drinking a glass of wine given to her by Portnow. The plaintiff, who remains unidentified in the court filing, alleges that she was sexually assaulted while unconscious.
She is suing Portnow for sexual battery and gender-motivated violence and the Recording Academy for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention. According to the complaint, the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, played a role in silencing the woman.
The plaintiff, who is an internationally acclaimed musician and former member of The Recording Academy, was 37 years old at the time of the alleged assault. The lawsuit alleges that she has experienced significant emotional, physical, and psychological distress following the incident. This includes feelings of shame, guilt, financial loss, and emotional trauma.
A representative for Portnow has denied the allegations, describing them as the product of the plaintiff's imagination and motivated by Portnow's refusal to comply with her demands for money and assistance in obtaining a residence visa. The Recording Academy also maintains that the claims are without merit and intends to defend against the lawsuit vigorously, according to CNN.
Who is Neil Portnow?
Neil Portnow, a prominent figure in the music industry, served as the president and CEO of the Recording Academy from 2002 until his resignation in 2019. In 2018, he faced public backlash and calls for resignation after making controversial comments about female artists needing to "step up" during an interview with Variety. Portnow later claimed that his comments were taken out of context.
The lawsuit was filed under the Adult Survivors Act, which was passed last year and allows survivors of sexual assault a temporary window to file past the state's usual deadlines. The woman alleges that she contacted the Academy in late 2018 about Portnow. The Academy, in response, maintains that the claims are without merit and pledges to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.
The accusations against Portnow first came to light in 2020 after he had already stepped down from his position. Deborah Dugan, his successor, was ousted from the Recording Academy after a short tenure and referenced the allegations in her complaint against the organization.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case against Neil Portnow brings attention to the ongoing challenges of addressing sexual assault allegations in the music industry and the broader issue of accountability for high-profile figures. The lawsuit raises questions about the actions of institutions and their responsibility in handling such allegations, emphasizing the need for a thorough and fair investigation, USA Today reported.
