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Judge Dismisses Sexual Assault Suit Against Kevin Liles Citing 2005 UMG Release

The court found a 2005 Universal Music Group settlement’s broad release covered claims tied to the former assistant’s 2002 allegations.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald dismissed the case with prejudice, preventing the plaintiff from refiling or amending the lawsuit.
  • The judge wrote that Liles was expressly covered by the settlement because he was listed as a releasee and included in the agreement’s definition of “Universal.”
  • Court records show the plaintiff received $47,500 in 2005 to settle a New York State Division of Human Rights complaint alleging retaliation and harassment, which did not include rape claims.
  • Plaintiff’s counsel argued the release was not intended to cover rape and characterized the payment as a severance for employment claims, but the court rejected that position.
  • Liles has denied the allegations, previously calling them outrageous and signaling he would seek defamation claims against the accuser and her lawyers.