Accusations of abuse from 2018 cast a shadow over Neil Portnow, the former director of the organization responsible for the Grammy Awards.
Neil Portnow, who held the position of director for the Grammy Awards until his resignation in 2019, currently faces grave allegations of abuse stemming from incidents in 2018. A woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, has come forward with claims of abuse, lodging a formal complaint in the New York State Supreme Court.
The accuser, an instrumentalist originally from outside the United States, not only points the finger at Portnow but also includes the Recording Academy in her negligence lawsuit. Court documents shed light on communications between the victim and the organization in 2018, highlighting their connection to her complaint.
According to the legal filing, the woman had an encounter with Neil Portnow in 2018, during which she agreed to meet him for an interview at a New York hotel. During this meeting, the producer escorted her to his room and offered her a drink. After consuming the beverage, the victim claimed to have lost consciousness. During these disorienting moments, she alleges that she woke up on several occasions, all the while enduring instances of abuse at the hands of Portnow.
The New York Times reported that the victim shared her ordeal with both the Recording Academy and the New York Police.
Denials of the Complaint
Both the Recording Academy and a spokesperson for Neil Portnow have issued statements categorically denying the allegations, labeling them as false.
It's worth noting that prior to his departure from the helm of the Grammy Awards in 2019, Portnow had already faced controversy due to comments he made regarding the underrepresentation of women in the music industry, implying that they should "step up" for more recognition.
