L.A. Reid’s just dodged a jury trial, settling a sexual assault lawsuit from a former employee.
Antonio “L.A.” Reid, the well-known record executive, has reached a settlement regarding a sexual assault lawsuit brought against him by former employee Drew Dixon. This settlement allows Reid to avoid a jury trial that was set to commence on Monday.
Dixon filed her lawsuit in 2023 under the New York Adult Survivors Act, alleging serious claims of sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation that occurred while she worked as an A&R representative at Arista Records. The accusations included Reid digitally penetrating her without consent on a private plane in 2001, along with unwanted groping and kissing in later incidents. Dixon stated that Reid’s behavior escalated to retaliation after she rejected his advances, including public berating in front of colleagues following her efforts to introduce Kanye West to the label.
Despite these allegations, Reid has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In court filings, he maintained that the claims against him have significantly tarnished his reputation in the industry. Reid left his position at Epic Records in 2017 amid separate harassment allegations, which further compounded his decline in standing within the music community.
Reid’s attorney, Imran H. Ansari, confirmed the settlement, stating that it was resolved amicably without any admission of liability, although the specifics of the settlement remain undisclosed.
In a statement to the media, Drew Dixon expressed hope that her advocacy for the Adult Survivors Act would lead to improvements in safety within the music industry. She remarked on the challenges survivors face and indicated that she aims to foster a positive change for those affected by similar experiences. Dixon, who had long been passionate about music and talent discovery, emphasized her commitment to both her advocacy work and her career aspirations within the industry.
L.A. Reid Settles Sexual Assault Claims
The upcoming jury trial was expected to feature testimonies from notable figures, including John Legend, as Dixon had previously pursued a deal with him. This case is not the first instance of Dixon speaking out, as she previously accused music mogul Russell Simmons of sexual assault in a 2017 New York Times article and again in the 2020 documentary “On The Record.”