Former Grammys chief faces rape allegations

Former Grammys chief faces rape allegations

The former head of the organization responsible for the Grammy Awards is facing a lawsuit from a musician who accuses him of drugging and raping her in 2018.

The state suit filed in Manhattan alleges sexual battery against Neil Portnow, who stepped down as the head of the Recording Academy in 2019.

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The suit also accuses the Academy of negligence. The female artist, who remains anonymous in the suit, met Portnow at a Grammy-related event and claims he invited her to his hotel room, where she was allegedly drugged and raped.

Portnow denies the allegations, and the Recording Academy vows to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.

The accusations revive past criticisms of Portnow and the Academy, leading to his departure in 2019 following controversial comments about women in the industry.

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The lawsuit brings to light details of the alleged assault, including the woman’s account and her attempts to report the incident to Academy officials, who reportedly ignored her.

The suit also reveals that the woman filed a police report against Portnow, but law enforcement authorities at the time declined to prosecute.