Last week, reports surfaced of L.A. Reid's departure from his position as chairman of Epic Records, though no reasoning was provided by Reid or the label. Sony Music Entertainment, Epic's parent company, simply stated, "L.A. Reid will be leaving the company." Earlier tonight (May 14), The New York Post reported that Reid's exit from Epic was in response to several accusations of sexual harassment made by one female co-worker.
The unnamed accuser, an assistant, alleges that Reid, who is married, made inappropriate physical advances toward her at a December holiday party, according to a March 22 letter that the woman's lawyer sent to Julie Swidler, Sony Music's General Counsel.
The letter also claims that the 60-year-old record executive asked the accuser to "lay down in bed with him and give him a hug while the two were in a hotel traveling on business," reports The Post.
The former CEO allegedly told the assistant how he wanted her to dress, as stated in the letter, which also says that Reid described the accuser as "fine."
Joel Katz, Reid's lawyer, had no comment when contacted about the sexual harassment allegations, though a source who is "familiar with the thinking of Reid's camp" told The Post that the March 22 letter is inaccurate.
Since his departure, sources have reported that Reid has been telling his industry friends that he is in talks with Warner Music Group owner Len Blavatnik about an executive position at the company's Warner Brothers label.