L.A. Reid’s Sexual Assault Case Denied by New York Judge
In a major blow to music executive L.A. Reid, a New York judge has denied his request to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him by former artist Drew Dixon. The 68-year-old executive had hoped to get the case thrown out, citing 10 sections of New York’s Penal Law Article 130. However, Judge Valerie Caproni disagreed, ruling that Reid had not met his burden to prove that the claims were without merit.
According to the lawsuit, Dixon accused Reid of sexual assault on two separate occasions. The first alleged incident occurred when Reid invited Dixon to view an apartment with him and made multiple unwanted advances during their tour. The second incident reportedly took place on a private jet and in the back of cars, with Dixon claiming she was subjected to groping and kissing.
Reid’s attorney had argued that Dixon was using the Adult Survivors Act to leverage the law and blame her career struggles on the producer. However, Judge Caproni disagreed, saying it was difficult to understand any prejudice caused by additional citations to other portions of Article 130.
Dixon had previously worked under Reid at Epic Records, but claims that he made her work life difficult after she denied his advances. Allegedly, Reid cut budgets for her projects and complicated things to the point where she left her position in 2002.
In her lawsuit, Dixon stated that the case was not just about the physical assaults she suffered, but also about the irreparable damage done to her rare and blossoming career. The lawsuit is ongoing, and a court date has not been set.
