An anonymous musician has accused the former head of the Grammys, Neil Portnow, of rape in a new lawsuit.
As reported by the New York Times, the suit alleges that Portnow drugged and raped the musician in a New York City hotel room in 2018.
While the artist is not named in the suit, they are identified as an instrumentalist from outside the United States who once performed at Carnegie Hall. The musician is said to have contacted the Recording Academy, which runs the Grammys, in 2018 about the alleged crime.
Portnow stood down from his position as President of the Recording Academy in 2019, following a backlash to his comments the previous year, when he said female artists needed to âstep upâ in order to have their success recognised.
In a statement also issued to the New York Times, the musicianâs lawyer Jeffrey R. Anderson said: âNeil Portnow gives lip service to women as standing up. But he does a disservice to every woman and every musician who is being oppressed by him and others. This is not just about Neil Portnow and not just about the Recording Academy, but about the culture in the music and entertainment industry and its doublespeak about rape and abuse.â

A representative for Portnow has denied the allegations, describing them as âthe product of the plaintiffâs imagination and undoubtedly motivated by Mr. Portnowâs refusal to comply with the plaintiffâs outrageous demands for money and assistance in obtaining a residence visa for her.â
The statement continued that âthe latest incarnationâ of her accusations âoffers a ânew and improvedâ story, padding it with even more outrageous and untrue allegations.â
Portnowâs successor as President of the Recording Academy, Deborah Dugan, was herself placed on leave in January 2020 following an accusation of misconduct by a âsenior female member of the Recording Academy team.â
Just three weeks before her dismissal, Dugan had sent a memo detailing her concerns over serious issues such as voting irregularities, financial mismanagement, âexorbitant and unnecessaryâ legal bills, and conflicts of interest from voters.
Days after being placed on leave, Dugan filed her own lawsuit against the Academy, claiming that the decision âwas in direct retaliation to her complaintâ. Her suit also alleged that she was subjected to sexual harassment.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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