A lawsuit said the woman was concerned over Portnow’s power in the industry, but that months later, she gave her account to Academy officials and was ignored.
The former head of the organisation behind the Grammy awards on Wednesday was sued by a musician who accused him of drugging and raping her in 2018.
The New York Times, which first reported the story, says the state suit filed in Manhattan accuses Neil Portnow – who stepped down as head of the Recording Academy in 2019 over his disparaging comments toward women – of sexual battery. It also accuses the Academy of negligence.
In a statement, the Recording Academy vowed to “vigorously defend the Academy in this lawsuit.”
“We continue to believe the claims to be without merit,” it said.
The suit does not name the woman to maintain her privacy.
A representative for Portnow gave a statement to AFP that called the allegations “completely false.”
“The claims are the product of the plaintiff’s imagination,” the statement said.
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The suit revives criticism of both Portnow and the Academy that led to the powerful executive leaving in 2019 after 17 years, following his controversial comments that women should “step up” to gain more recognition for their work in an industry dominated by white men.
