Kevin Liles and Def Jam Sued by Jane Doe for Sexual Assault
In the suit, filed in New York Supreme Court and reviewed by Variety, Doe named Universal Music Group, Def Jam and Liles as defendants. She filed under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which was granted an amendment in 2022 to allow survivors whose claims were previously time-barred to file suit before March 1, 2025.
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At the time of the alleged assault, Liles served as President of Def Jam and EVP of Island Def Jam, holding tenure from 1999 to 2004. Doe claims that she started working at Def Jam as an executive assistant to the general manager around 1999 and that Liles began sexually harassing her soon after, making 'derogatory and degrading comments based on her gender regarding her body and appearance.' From 2000 to 2002, the sexual harassment escalated, with Liles allegedly pushing his body against her breasts and grabbing her behind.
In 2002, Doe says that she was at the office with Liles when he made sexual advances that she rebuffed. He then allegedly forced himself on top of her and raped her despite continued protests. The suit claims that UMG and Def Jam 'not only knew or should have known' of Liles' 'propensity to commit the aforementioned crimes of violence,' but also enabled how he engaged with employees.
In a statement shared with Variety, Doe's attorney Lucas B. Franken, partner at Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC, said, 'We commend our client for her determination to seek justice for the sexual abuse she endured, as well as the sheer bravery it took to come forward against a well-known, celebrity figure. In our lengthy experience defending sexual abuse victims, we have witnessed a common thread and that is that they are often not alone in their abuse. Based on the violent and egregious conduct, we expect that others were also abused, and we hope that they can also come forward to share their experiences and pursue justice.'
Representatives for Liles and UMG, which owns Def Jam, did not respond to Variety's request for comment.
In 2023, Liles was named as a defendant in a $25 million sexual assault lawsuit filed against singer Trey Songz, who he manages. The Jane Doe who filed the suit claimed that Liles ignored the growing accusations against Songz over the years. The suit was settled the following year.
A veteran label and management executive, Liles recently left his post as chairman and CEO of Warner Music's 3000 Elektra Entertainment at the end of 2024. He joined Warner in 2022 after the company acquired 300, which he co-founded with former Warner recorded music chief Lyor Cohen, for $400 million. The company saw significant chart success with Young Thug, Gunna, Megan Thee Stallion and others. His management clients over the years included Mariah Carey and D'Angelo.
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