Latest news with #VictimsofGender-MotivatedViolenceProtectionLaw
USA Today
02-05-2025
- USA Today
Fashion designer Riccardo Tisci accused of sexual assault
Fashion designer Riccardo Tisci accused of sexual assault Show Caption Hide Caption Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre dies at 41 Virginia Giuffre was an outspoken sex trafficking survivor who settled a sexual assault lawsuit against Prince Andrew. PA Media - News Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci is facing allegations of sexual misconduct, according to a new lawsuit that claims he drugged and assaulted a man in 2024. The complaint, filed on behalf of a man named Patrick Cooper in New York Supreme Court on April 29, alleges that Tisci, 50, spiked Cooper's drink before taking him back to his residence and sexually assaulting him. USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Tisci, and Cooper's lawyers for comment. Tisci, the former creative director of Givenchy, is accused in the complaint of "predatory, nonconsensual sexual acts," and deliberately drugging Cooper's drink so he would be "disoriented, confused, impaired, intoxicated, unaware of his actions and surroundings, and unable to comprehend what was going on for the duration of the drug's effect." The assault is alleged to have taken place in June at 2 Sisters 4 Brothers Restaurant and Lounge, a casual eatery and dance venue in New York City's East Harlem neighborhood. Alleging he has, in the wake of the assault, suffered "serious and severe psychological and emotional distress, mental anguish, embarrassment, humiliation, and economic damages," lawyers for Cooper are demanding compensatory damages. Tisci is accused of violating New York's Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, intentionally inflicting emotional distress, battery, assault and false imprisonment. Key to that final allegation is an argument that after drugging him, Tisci prevented Cooper from leaving his apartment, which Cooper knew at the time but to which he was unable to object, given the effect of the drugs. A notable name in the industry since the early aughts, Tisci spent over a decade at Givenchy before nabbing a spot as Burberry's chief creative officer, a position he held for four years until 2022. Carving out a niche in haute couture, particularly, Tisci's designs have been worn by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Def Jam President Kevin Liles Wants Sexual Assault Lawsuit Dismissed: ‘Entirely False'
Former Def Jam President Kevin Liles says the sexual assault allegations leveled against him by a Jane Doe plaintiff are 'patently false' and asked the court for permission to file a motion to permanently dismiss the woman's lawsuit. In a letter to a federal judge filed Tuesday, Liles' lawyer says the Jane Doe claims Liles sexually harassed and assaulted her between 2000 and 2002, but 'offers zero factual bases for her salacious allegations.' The lawyer says the woman's complaint includes only 'threadbare assertions' without describing what Liles purportedly said to her in Universal Music Group's offices more than 20 years ago or what he did when she purportedly rebuffed his advances. More from Rolling Stone Wife of Weezer's Bassist Shot in Officer-Involved Shooting, Booked for Attempted Murder: Police The Jay-Z, Tony Buzbee Legal War Somehow Got Even Uglier Soulja Boy Accused of Lying, Wearing 'Fake Glasses' Amid $73 Million Sex Battery Case 'Plaintiff offers no detail whatsoever regarding the nature of the purported assault she suffered,' Liles' lawyer Krystal C. Durham says in the letter obtained by Rolling Stone. 'She alleges that at unspecified times, and in unspecified locations, during a two-year window – again, over twenty years ago – Mr. Liles sexually harassed and assault her. She fails, however, to explain when these purported acts occurred, where in UMG's offices they occurred, identify a single person she reported this information to, or who was present.' The lawyer claims the complaint is too deficient to survive because the woman further failed to give a date, location, or context for her 'serious' allegation that Liles forced himself on her. 'She, again, provides no detail regarding the purported event and submits only the bare conclusion that Mr. Liles's alleged conduct amounted to rape and sexual assault,' the lawyer wrote, claiming the Jane Doe 'neither reported to nor worked for' Liles. Durham wrote that Liles' proposed motion to dismiss also would challenge the Jane Doe's right to file her lawsuit under the two-year lookback window provided by New York City's Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law. Other defendants in similar cases have likewise challenged the GMVL, claiming New York's statewide Adult Survivors Act pre-empted any overlapping local laws and closed the revival window for good on any claims throughout the state when it expired in November 2023. Many lawsuits have survived similar challenges to the GMVL's revival window, but the issue of preemption is now the subject of at least one appeal in the Second Circuit. The judge overseeing the lawsuit against Liles did not immediately rule on his request for permission to seek dismissal. UMG Recordings, meanwhile, filed a similar letter Tuesday asking for leave to file its own dismissal motion. The company's lawyers argued that UMGR is 'a music company, and the alleged conduct was indisputably not in furtherance of any business of UMGR.' In her lawsuit, the Jane Doe alleged she was hired by the corporate defendants in 1999, with Liles acting as her supervisor. She alleged Liles sexually harassed her on numerous occasions during her tenure, including one time when Liles allegedly 'pressed his body against [her] breasts,' and 'grabbed [her] on the buttocks.' Shortly after Jane Doe filed her lawsuit, Liles vehemently denied the allegations. 'I absolutely deny the outrageous claims reported in the press this evening,' he said in a statement to Rolling Stone. '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. It is a shameful reality that these lies spread so freely. 'My attorneys and I will fully clear my name, and when we are successful, this anonymous accuser and her attorney will face a defamation lawsuit and every other available legal consequence.' After his time as president at Def Jam, Liles, 57, went on to become the co-founder and CEO of 300 Entertainment, a label whose artists include Young Thug, Gunna, Fetty Wap, and Mary J. Blige. Liles, who previously testified at a court hearing in an attempt to get Young Thug released on bond during the rapper's RICO prosecution in Atlanta, announced he was stepping down from 300 Entertainment last September. The Jane Doe behind the lawsuit claims UMGR and Def Jam should be held liable for her alleged abuse because they 'enabled, permitted, directed, controlled, approved, managed, operated and ratified the manner in which Liles engaged with employees.' She is asking for compensatory and punitive damages to be decided at trial. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kevin Liles And Def Jam Face Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Kevin Liles has been accused of sexual assault in a new lawsuit. According to Variety, Jane Doe claims that the former Def Jam president did so during her employment at the label in the early 2000s and has named Universal Music Group, Def Jam, and Liles as defendants. The lawsuit was filed under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which was granted an amendment in 2022. It has allowed survivors with claims disregarded—due to the statute of limitations—to file suit before March 1, 2025. At the time of the alleged assault, Liles worked as President of Def Jam and EVP of Island Def Jam, two positions he held from 1999 through 2004. Doe alleges that she started working at Def Jam as an executive assistant to the general manager around 1999 and that Liles began sexually harassing her with 'derogatory and degrading comments based on her gender regarding her body and appearance.' She also claims that as she continued to work at the label, his menacing actions escalated, with Liles allegedly pushing his body against her breasts and grabbing her behind. The Jane Doe also details Liles allegedly raped her in 2002 after she refused his sexual advances, claiming UMG and Def Jam 'not only knew or should have known' of Liles' 'propensity to commit the aforementioned crimes of violence,' and enabled his behavior per Variety. '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,' shared Jane Doe's lawyer Lucas B. Franken, partner at Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC, with the outlet. '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.' According to Rolling Stone, the window to file lawsuits for claims that would be expired under the statute of limitations closes on Saturday. 'I absolutely deny the outrageous claims reported in the press this evening,' Liles expressed in a statement sent to RS. '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. It is a shameful reality that these lies spread so freely.' He continued, 'My attorneys and I will fully clear my name, and when we are successful, this anonymous accuser and her attorney will face a defamation lawsuit and every other available legal consequence.' More from Nicki Minaj Makes Jokes About Atlantic Records' Massive Layoffs Kevin Liles Steps Down As CEO And Chairman Of 300 Entertainment Young Thug Names T.I., Kevin Liles, Ex-Girlfriend Jerricka In Extensive Witness List
Express Tribune
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Kevin Liles, former president of Def Jam, accused of sexual harassment
Kevin Liles former president of Def Jam, has been named in a sexual assault lawsuit filed by a Jane Doe, who alleges that he sexually assaulted her during her employment at Def Jam in the early 2000s. As per Variety, the suit filed in New York Supreme Court, accuses Liles of harassment and assault during his tenure as President of Def Jam and EVP of Island Def Jam from 1999 to 2004. The plaintiff, who worked as an executive assistant at the time, claims Liles began harassing her shortly after she started at Def Jam, making degrading comments about her body and appearance. According to the lawsuit, the harassment escalated between 2000 and 2002, with Liles allegedly engaging in physical contact such as pushing his body against her and grabbing her. In 2002, the plaintiff accuses Liles of forcibly raping her after she rejected his sexual advances. The lawsuit also names Universal Music Group (UMG) and Def Jam, claiming the companies were aware of Liles' behavior and failed to intervene. Liles has denied the allegations, calling them 'outrageous' and 'slanderous.' In a statement, he expressed his intention to clear his name, adding that his attorneys had not yet seen the lawsuit. Liles also criticized the timing of the suit, claiming the accuser's attorney shared the lawsuit with media outlets before it was filed in court. He emphasized his long-standing reputation for integrity and dedication to empowering women. The lawsuit was filed under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which was amended in 2022 to allow survivors to pursue legal action even if the statute of limitations had expired. Liles' legal team has vowed to take action against the accuser and her attorney for defamation. Liles, who recently left his role as CEO of Warner Music's 3000 Elektra Entertainment, has previously been linked to high-profile artists such as D'Angelo, Young Thug, and Mariah Carey.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kevin Liles and Def Jam Sued by Jane Doe for Sexual Assault
Kevin Liles, the veteran music executive who has played a key role in D'Angelo and Young Thug's careers, has been sued by a Jane Doe claiming that he sexually assaulted her during her employment at Def Jam in the early 2000s. 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. More from Variety Kevin Liles to Leave Warner Music Group Lil Baby, Tyler the Creator, G-Eazy Turn Out for Black Music Action Coalition Gala as Jon Platt, Kevin Liles Deliver Poignant Speeches Black Music Action Coalition Readies Second Annual Gala in Beverly Hills, Looks to Nashville for Future Advocacy 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. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
