Former Grammy President & CEO Neil Portnow Accused Of Rape

On November 8, a woman, choosing to remain anonymous, filed a lawsuit against Neil Portnow, the former CEO of the Grammy Awards, alleging sexual assault in 2018. Simultaneously, she directed legal action against the Recording Academy, citing negligence in handling the reported incident.

The legal proceedings were initiated in the state Supreme Court in Manhattan under the purview of the Adult Survivors Act. This act, enacted last year, allows individuals to file complaints of sexual assault beyond the typical statutory deadlines. 

Neil Portnow Accused Of Rape In Lawsuit

The woman, described as an internationally known musician who has performed at Carnegie Hall, recounted a disturbing encounter with Portnow in early 2018. Later that year, a meeting arranged to interview him at his New York City hotel took a dark turn when he allegedly provided her with a drink that intermittently caused her to lose consciousness. The assault, as detailed in the lawsuit, is said to have followed.

Portnow, who resigned as the CEO in 2019, vehemently denied the allegations through a spokesperson. The response labelled the accusations as "completely false" and suggested that the legal action was driven by the woman's financial demands and requests for assistance in obtaining a residence visa.

The woman claimed to have contacted the Recording Academy about Portnow's actions in late 2018. In response to the lawsuit, the Academy issued a statement asserting its belief in the lack of merit in the claims and pledging a robust defence. This legal development resurrects allegations that first came to light in 2020 after Portnow had already stepped down from his position. The accusations were initially disclosed by his successor, Deborah Dugan, who faced her own ousting from the role mere months after taking the helm.

Who Is Neil R. Portnow

Neil R. Portnow, an American music industry executive, held the positions of chairman and CEO at The Recording Academy and MusiCares from 2002 to 2019. Before this, he served as the vice president of the West Coast division at Jive Records and Arista Records.

His tenure faced public scrutiny and demands for resignation in 2018 when, in response to a question about the underrepresentation of female artists at that year's Grammy Awards ceremony, Portnow suggested that female artists should "step up." This comment sparked significant backlash and controversy within the music industry.

Suggested Reading: Hollywood Writers' Strike Ends After 118 Days: Here's The Outcome