Kevin Liles got caught up in the slew of sexual assault lawsuits earlier this year after a former employee sued him for rape. The 57-year-old executive is now hoping to get the case thrown out due to a legal technicality.
His former employee, who worked at Def Jam and served as an executive assistant to the general manager, claims he began harassing her in 2000. Allegedly, in 2002, he forced himself on top of her and raped her, despite her denying his sexual advances. She formally pursued litigation in February of this year, but Liles believes he had a strong counter.
TMZ reported that the former 300 Entertainment CEO has requested permission to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, as he feels that the alleged crime is past the statute of limitations; in New York, where the lawsuit was filed, the statute of limitations is non-existent for first-degree rape, 20 years for second-degree, and 10 years for third-degree. Additionally, he claims that the allegations are “entirely false” and that the unnamed former employee has not provided sufficient details for the case to move forward.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 29: Kevin Liles of 300 Elektra Entertainment attends the Rap And The Rules of Evidence Panel on September 29, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Def Jam and Universal Music Group have been named defendants in the lawsuit, as well. The alleged victim claims that they “not only knew or should have known” about Liles’ proclivity to engage in criminal activity, but they also allegedly enabled him to do so.
“I absolutely deny the outrageous claims reported in the press this evening,” Liles told TMZ when the allegations first came out. “I wish I could share a more detailed response to this slander, but this is the first I’ve heard of this claim and the anonymous accuser’s attorney shared the lawsuit with gossip influencers and media outlets before it was even posted by the court, so my attorneys and I have not seen the actual lawsuit.”
Liles reflected on his “40 years of service to our culture” and how he has “intentionally built a reputation for doing things the right way, treating people the right way, and empowering women.” The woman’s attorney, Lucas B. Franken, believes that this lawsuit will only catalyze more women to come forward with allegations against the former Warner Music Group vice president.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: (L-R) Honoree, BMAC Social Impact Award Kevin Liles and Anthony Anderson speak onstage during the Black Music Action Coalition Second Annual Music in Action Awards Gala at The Beverly Hilton on September 22, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California.
Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Black Music Action Coalition
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