Baltimore Native & Music Mogul Kevin Liles Accused of Sexual Assault In Def Jam Lawsuit
Source: Greg Doherty / Getty
Kevin Liles, the Baltimore-born music executive and co-founder of 300 Entertainment, is being sued by a woman who claims he sexually assaulted her during her time at Def Jam in the early 2000s.
The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court this week, identifies the plaintiff only as Jane Doe. She alleges that while Liles was president of Def Jam, he sexually assaulted her when she was an executive assistant at the label. The suit also names Def Jam and its parent company, Universal Music Group, as defendants, accusing them of negligence.
The complaint, which was first reported by Variety, is filed under New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law. This law allows survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to sue their abusers in cases that were previously time-barred, as long as the lawsuit is filed by March 1.
RELATED: Diddy Files Lawsuit Against Grand Jury Witness & Lawyer For Defamation
According to the complaint, Liles began sexually harassing Doe shortly after she joined Def Jam in 1999, making derogatory and degrading comments about her body and appearance. The harassment allegedly escalated from 2000 to 2002, when Liles made sexually inappropriate remarks, physically forced himself on her, and sexually assaulted and raped her.
Liles has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “outrageous.” In a statement, he said, “After nearly 40 years of service to our culture, I’ve intentionally built a reputation for doing things the right way, treating people the right way, and empowering women. It is a shameful reality that these lies spread so freely. My attorneys and I will fully clear my name.”
Liles, a Baltimore native, attended Woodlawn High School and Morgan State University before rising to prominence in the music industry. He co-founded 300 Entertainment, which helped launch the careers of artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Young Thug. He also served as the CEO of Warner Music Group’s 300 Elektra Entertainment and organized the Preakness Live Festival in 2022 as a tribute to his hometown.
In the lawsuit, Doe also accuses Def Jam and Universal Music Group of failing to investigate complaints about Liles’ behavior and allowing it to continue for their own financial and reputational gain.
Universal Music Group has not responded to requests for comment. Attorneys Mallory Allen and Lucas B. Franken, representing Doe, praised her courage for coming forward against a well-known figure. “We commend our client for her determination to seek justice for the sexual abuse she endured,” they said in a statement.
Get Breaking News & Exclusive Content in Your Inbox:
Baltimore Native & Music Mogul Kevin Liles Accused of Sexual Assault In Def Jam Lawsuit was originally published on wolbbaltimore.com
