L.A. Reid Reported To Be In Talks To Head Warner Bros Records When Hit With Harassment Claim

One of the biggest stories to rattle the music industry last week was the sudden and largely unexplained departure of now former Epic Records head Antonio “L.A.” Reid. Well, only days later the New York post is reporting that Reid’s leaving is because of accusations that he sexually harassed a female assistant. This came to light after the accuser’s attorney  submitted a letter to Sony’s general council, detailing allegations of inappropriate  behavior from Reid. Reports indicate that the 60-year old record executive made inappropriate physical advances towards the female assistant last December at Epic’s holiday Christmas party.  The post states that Reid, who is married, asked the assistant to lie down in bed and hug him when they were in a hotel, traveling for business. He is also accused of making comments about what close he liked her to wear while describing her as “fine.”  

Sony Music, in a one-sentence statement on Saturday — “L.A. Reid will be leaving the company” —

“We are not allowing a culture like that in this company,” one insider familiar with Reid’s ouster told The Post, “no matter how much a person brings to the bottom line.”

A second unnamed source claimed that the letter, which was given to Sony Music on March 22nd,  is inaccurate.  However, Variety has since confirmed the existence of the letter, and gone on to confirm that there have been multiple claims made against Reid. Reid has been telling friends that he’s been talking to Warner Music Group’s Len Blavatnik about running WMG’s name sake label, Warner Bros Records. Reid’s lawyer, Joel Katz, the head of Greenberg Traurig’s global entertainment and media practice, had no comment.