In a lawsuit filed on Wednesday, a woman accused former Grammy Awards CEO Neil Portnow of sexual assault that allegedly took place in 2018. The lawsuit also named the Recording Academy for negligence. Filed under the Adult Survivors Act in the state Supreme Court in Manhattan, the woman, who remains anonymous, took advantage of the temporary window created by the act to file the lawsuit beyond the usual deadlines.
Described as an internationally known musician who previously performed at Carnegie Hall, the woman claimed that she met Portnow in early 2018 and arranged a meeting with him at his hotel in New York City later that year for an interview. According to her, Portnow gave her a drink during the meeting that caused her to intermittently lose consciousness, after which he assaulted her.
A spokesperson for Portnow, who resigned as CEO in 2019, denied the accusations, stating that they were false and likely driven by the woman’s demands for money and assistance with obtaining a residence visa. The woman stated in the lawsuit that she had informed the Academy about Portnow in late 2018. In response, the Academy expressed its belief that the claims were baseless and announced its intention to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit.
The allegations against Portnow first surfaced in 2020, following his resignation. Deborah Dugan, who succeeded Portnow as CEO but was later removed from the position, mentioned the accusation against him in a complaint filed against the Academy.
This lawsuit adds to the ongoing conversation surrounding sexual assault and misconduct in the entertainment industry. It highlights the importance of providing survivors with avenues to seek justice and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have significant implications for both Portnow and the Recording Academy.
