Veteran music executive Antonio “L.A.”Reid has reached a settlement with former Arista Records executive Drew Dixon, ending a long-running sexual assault and harassment lawsuit just as jury selection was set to begin in Manhattan federal court on Jan. 12, 2026, reports the Hollywood Reporter.
Dixon, who served as a vice president of A&R at Arista in the early 2000s, accused Reid of sexually assaulting her on two occasions and later retaliating against her professionally after she rejected his advances, according to The Guardian. While the exact terms of the settlement remain confidential, the agreement means Reid avoids what was expected to be a closely watched trial that had drawn attention across the music industry and beyond.
L.A. Reid’s alleged retaliation
The New York’s Adult Survivors Act reopened the window for civil claims involving alleged historic sexual abuse that might otherwise have been barred by statutes of limitations. Dixon’s complaint that was filed in 2023 asserted that, in addition to the alleged assaults, Reid worked to derail her career by slashing budgets, rejecting artist signings, and limiting her professional opportunities after she rebuffed him.
Dixon had prepared to call several high-profile witnesses, including Grammy-winning artist John Legend and industry executive Roy Lott. They were expected to provide insight into the professional dynamics at Arista during the relevant period.
Reactions to the settlement
In statements following the resolution, Dixon emphasized her advocacy for survivor rights and her hope that her work helps move the music business toward a safer, more equitable environment. The former recording executive also said she’s ready to return to making music.
“I hope my work as an advocate for the Adult Survivors Act helps to bring all of us closer to a music business that is safer for everyone,” Dixon told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan, reports AP News. “And in a world where good news is often hard to find, I hope that survivors today see a ray of light peeking through the clouds.”
Reid’s legal team characterized the settlement as amicable and noted that it does not include any admission of liability by Reid.
However, Dixon’s attorney, Kenya Davis, said the settlement allows Dixon “to move forward with her creative pursuits on her own terms, with her reputation, her voice, and her career reaffirmed.”
Dixon first brought her allegations against Reid into the public eye in 2017 and detailed aspects of her experience in the 2020 documentary On the Record, which explored sexual misconduct in the music industry. She has also previously accused Russell Simmons of alleged rape, a claim that has been the subject of separate legal action.
The settlement closes a chapter in a case that had spotlighted issues of power, accountability, and workplace culture within segments of the entertainment industry, even as conversations around those themes continue to evolve.
