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LA Reid’s Epic departure follows claims of unlawful harassment, says Billboard
By Chris Cooke | Published on Monday 15 May 2017
The abrupt exit of LA Reid from Sony Music’s Epic Records division in the US last week followed a claim of “unlawful harassment” made by a female assistant, according to sources cited by Billboard.
The record industry veteran’s departure from the top job at Epic US was sudden, while the official statement made by the major regarding Reid’s exit was unusually blunt, it stating simply that “LA Reid will be leaving the company”.
According to Billboard, the harassment claims include “alleged inappropriate remarks about [the assistant’s] appearance and clothing and alleged propositions that caused her embarrassment and distress, making it impossible for her to continue working at the label”.
The claims were formally made in a legal letter threatening litigation if a settlement could not be reached. Billboard says that Sony instigated its own investigation after receiving the letter, though it is not known what that investigation concluded. However, at least one source has disputed some of the claims in the original complaint letter.
Neither Sony nor Reid have as yet commented on the harassment allegations.