Former CEO of Epic Records, Antonio "L.A." Reid, is facing a sexual assault lawsuit filed by former music executive Drew Dixon. Dixon, who worked for Reid during his time as chief executive of Arista Records, alleges that Reid sexually assaulted her twice in 2001 and retaliated against her career when she rejected his advances. The lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court, claims that Reid cut Dixon's budget and sidelined artists she was working with after she rebuffed him. Dixon left Arista in 2002 and believes that her career in the music industry was cut short due to Reid's harassment.

The lawsuit, brought under New York state's Adult Survivors Act, seeks unspecified damages. The act, passed last year, allows victims of sexual abuse a one-year window to sue, even if the original statute of limitations has passed. The deadline for filing under this act is November 24, 2021.

Representatives for Reid, including his attorney Joel Katz, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The New York Times, which first reported on the lawsuit, stated that Reid did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

This is not the first time Reid has faced allegations of sexual harassment. In 2017, he left his position as CEO of Epic Records after a former female assistant accused him of sexual harassment. Reid apologized at the time, stating, "I'm proud of my track record promoting, supporting and uplifting women at every company I've ever run. That notwithstanding, if I have ever said anything capable of being misinterpreted, I apologize unreservedly."

Dixon's lawsuit against Reid comes as part of a broader movement within the entertainment industry, where numerous figures have been accused of sexual misconduct since the #MeToo movement gained momentum in 2017. The lawsuit seeks to hold Reid accountable for his alleged actions and to address the impact they had on Dixon's career.

Dixon, who is now a board member at New York University's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, was also featured in the HBO Max documentary "On the Record," which explored allegations of sexual misconduct against rap mogul Russell Simmons. Dixon had previously accused Reid of misconduct publicly in December 2017, following his departure from Epic Records.

Reid, a Grammy-winning music executive, has had a long and successful career in the industry. He is known for his work with artists such as Mariah Carey, Pink, Usher, and TLC. In addition to his role as CEO of Epic Records, Reid has also appeared as a judge on "The X Factor."

As the lawsuit progresses, Dixon hopes to seek justice for the alleged assaults she endured and to bring attention to the issue of sexual harassment within the music industry. She believes that her story and the lawsuit can help others who have experienced similar situations.