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Former Def Jam Pres. Kevin Liles & UMG Sued In Sexual Assault Allegations
Former DEF JAM Pres. KEVIN LILES has been sued by a Jane Doe, alleging sexual assault during her time at the company in the early 2000s. The lawsuit, filed in NEW YORK SUPREME COURT, also names UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP (UMG) and DEF JAM as defendants under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law –which allows survivors with previously time-barred claims to file suit before MARCH 1st, 2025.
At the time of the alleged incidents, LILES was Pres. of DEF JAM and EVP of ISLAND DEF JAM from 1999 to 2004. DOE, who began working at DEF JAM as an executive assistant in 1999, alleges that he started sexually harassing her soon after, making derogatory comments about her body and appearance.
According to the lawsuit, between 2000 and 2002, the harassment escalated, with LILES allegedly pushing his body against her and grabbing her inappropriately. In 2002, DOE claims that LILES forced himself on her at the office despite her protests.
The lawsuit states that UMG and DEF JAM were aware or should have been aware of LILES’ alleged conduct but failed to act. DOE contends that both companies should be held liable because they ‘enabled, permitted, directed, controlled, approved, managed, operated, and ratified the manner in which LILES engaged with employees.’ She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial.
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. 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.”
LILES and UMG, DEF JAM’s parent company, have not issued a public response.