Accuser Seeks Dismissal of Case

Former Head of Grammy Awards, Neil Portnow, Faces Lawsuit Dismissal After Accuser Seeks Privacy

A member of the Recording Academy who accused Neil Portnow, former head of the Grammy Awards, of drugging and raping her in a New York hotel in 2018 has requested the court to dismiss her lawsuit. The reason behind this move is the looming court order that would require the woman to publicly reveal her identity.

In a letter to the court, the woman expressed concerns about her privacy and safety, citing a conflict with her lawyer over communication issues and a “misrepresentation” that could have significant implications for the case. Just days before voluntarily moving to dismiss the lawsuit, her lawyer challenged Portnow’s motion to reveal her real name.

Following this development, the woman’s lawyer, Jeffrey Anderson, moved to withdraw from the case due to “irreconcilable differences” over the woman filing a dismissal letter without his knowledge. The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court in November, accused Portnow of sexual assault and alleged that the Recording Academy aided and abetted to protect their reputations.

The case was transferred to federal court from state court due to the woman’s citizenship in South Korea and the alleged damages exceeding $75,000. Portnow, through his lawyer, emphasized the importance of revealing the accuser’s identity, citing previous court rulings involving public figures accused of sexual assault.

Despite the legal back and forth, the woman filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice, indicating the possibility of refiling in the future. The case sheds light on the complexities of sexual assault lawsuits against public figures and the challenges survivors face in seeking justice while maintaining their privacy.