Neil Portnow, the former head of the organization responsible for the Grammy Awards, is facing serious allegations of drugging and raping a musician in 2018, according to a lawsuit filed in Manhattan.
Portnow, who stepped down in 2019 amid controversy over disparaging comments about women, is now accused of sexual battery, with the lawsuit also implicating the Recording Academy for negligence.
The New York Times, which initially reported the story, highlighted that the lawsuit aims to hold Portnow accountable for his alleged actions. The suit does not disclose the woman’s identity to protect her privacy.
The Recording Academy, responding to the allegations, issued a statement pledging to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit, asserting that the claims are without merit. Portnow’s representative has not provided an immediate response, although in the Times article, he vehemently denied the accusations.
The lawsuit revives past criticisms of Portnow and the Recording Academy that led to his departure in 2019. Portnow faced backlash for suggesting that women needed to “step up” to receive more recognition in an industry dominated by white men. The recent court documents describe an incident in 2018 where the woman met Portnow at a Grammy-related event in New York and alleges that he drugged and raped her in his hotel room.
The woman claims that she lost consciousness after consuming wine offered by Portnow, who did not partake. Despite expressing a desire to leave, she alleges Portnow prevented her by claiming there were no available taxis. The suit details the woman’s disturbing account of waking up throughout the night while Portnow was allegedly assaulting her.
According to the Times, the woman later reported the incident to Academy officials, expressing concern about Portnow’s influence in the industry. However, her account was allegedly ignored. The lawsuit also mentions that the woman filed a police report against Portnow, but law enforcement declined to prosecute at the time.
These accusations resurface amid prior controversies surrounding Portnow, including his replacement, Deborah Dugan, filing a discrimination complaint in 2020, accusing the Academy of sexual harassment, voting irregularities, and other misconduct. Portnow had denied the rape allegation when it was first raised in Dugan’s complaint.
Portnow’s 2018 comment urging women to “step up” further fueled existing criticism that the Academy favored white male artists, especially at a time when the #MeToo movement was gaining momentum.
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