In a shocking lawsuit filed on Wednesday, former music executive Drew Dixon accuses Grammy-winning music executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid of sexually assaulting her and sabotaging her career. Dixon, who worked for Reid during his tenure as chief executive of Arista Records, alleges that she was sexually assaulted twice by Reid in 2001. She further claims that when she rejected his advances, Reid retaliated by cutting her budget and sidelining artists under her management. Dixon left Arista in 2002, and she believes that her promising career in the music industry was cut short due to Reid’s harassment.
The lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court, not only highlights the physical assaults Dixon endured but also emphasizes the irreparable damage inflicted upon her blossoming career. Seeking unspecified damages, Dixon aims to hold Reid accountable for his actions. It is worth noting that the Associated Press typically does not disclose the names of sexual assault victims unless they choose to come forward publicly.
Despite attempts to reach out to Reid’s attorney, Joel Katz, who represented him when Dixon initially made her allegations public in 2017, no immediate response was received. The New York Times, which first broke the news of the lawsuit, stated that Reid did not provide any comments in response to multiple requests.
Dixon’s case falls under New York state’s Adult Survivors Act, which was passed last year. This law permits alleged victims of sexual abuse to sue within a one-year window, even if the original statute of limitations has expired. The deadline for filing such cases is November 24. It is worth mentioning that in 2017, Reid stepped down as CEO of Epic Records after a former female assistant accused him of sexual harassment. At that time, Reid expressed pride in his history of promoting and supporting women in the companies he had led. However, he also apologized unreservedly if any of his statements had been misinterpreted.
The allegations against Reid shed light on the ongoing struggle faced by women in the music industry and the broader need for accountability in cases of sexual assault and harassment. Dixon’s courageous decision to come forward and seek justice serves as a reminder that no one should be exempt from the consequences of their actions, regardless of their position or influence.
