Former Grammys President Neil Portnow Accused of Rape

Portnow stepped down from his position in 2019

Neil Portnow is being accused of sexual battery, according to The New York Times.

The outlet reported on Wednesday that Portnow was sued by a woman who accused him of drugging and raping her in a New York hotel room in 2018. Portnow has denied the claims.

Portnow stepped down from his position in 2019 following a controversial male-dominated Grammy Awards in 2018. The former CEO received backlash after saying that women in music need to “step up” if they want more Grammy Awards.

He then apologized for his comments and said he remained "committed to doing everything I can to make our music community a better, safer, and more representative place for everyone.”

Related: Timbaland Apologizes for Saying Justin Timberlake ‘Should Have Put a Muzzle on’ Britney Spears: ‘You Have a Voice’

While the suit does reveal the identity of the accuser, she is described as an "instrumentalist from outside the United States who once performed at Carnegie Hall."

"Neil Portnow gives lip service to women as standing up. But he does a disservice to every woman and every musician who is being oppressed by him and others," the plaintiff's lawyer, Jeffrey R. Anderson, said in a statement to the outlet. "This is not just about Neil Portnow and not just about the Recording Academy, but about the culture in the music and entertainment industry and its doublespeak about rape and abuse.”

The lawsuit filed at the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan states that Portnow first met the woman at a Recording Academy event in January 2018. They allegedly met up again in June of that year, and Portnow allegedly invited her up to his room, where he offered her a glass of wine.

The woman claims in the suit that she “began to feel woozy" after drinking it and became disoriented. After losing consciousness, she alleges to have woken up many times throughout the night while still inside the hotel room and seeing Portnow sexually assaulting her.

Portnow allegedly told the woman that there were no taxis available to take her home so she exited his hotel room until the next morning when Portnow attended a meeting.

The accuser is said to have reported the encounter to the Recording Academy several months later via email. The Recording Academy shared with PEOPLE in a statement, "We continue to believe the claims to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend the Academy in this lawsuit.”

Related: Ludacris and His 'Brother for Life' Usher Deliver Surprise Performance of 'Yeah!' in Las Vegas

A spokesperson for Portnow denied the allegations in a statement to PEOPLE, saying they are “the product of the plaintiff’s imagination and undoubtedly motivated by Mr. Portnow’s refusal to comply with the plaintiff’s outrageous demands for money and assistance in obtaining a residence visa for her.”

"A series of erratic, bizarre text messages and e-mails to both Mr. Portnow and the Recording Academy from the Plaintiff had already persuaded numerous previous Plaintiff’s lawyers who resigned, as well as a police agency, that her claims were baseless. The latest incarnation offers a 'new and improved' story, padding it with even more outrageous and untrue allegations," the statement continued.

The statement added that "when the first attempt was made to extract money and other benefits as listed above, Mr. Portnow, who was at that time President/CEO of the Recording Academy, immediately enlisted the Academy’s HR Department to review the nonsensical text messages and emails that he made immediately available. An outside independent investigation led by top-tier lawyers, reviewed all relevant texts, emails, interviewed witnesses, and found absolutely no proof to support any of the allegations."

According to the statement, "The Academy’s Executive Committee and Board of Trustees were made aware of the results of the investigation and report; subsequently, Mr. Portnow served at the helm of the Recording Academy for the balance of the term of his contract."

It adds that Portnow "voluntarily and fully cooperated with and supported the investigation of these false allegations" and will defend the new case "with vigor and will prevail.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Back in 2020, Deborah Dugan, former Grammys president, filed a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after being placed on administrative leave just days before the 2020 Grammy Awards.

In her complaint, she alleged unlawful gender discrimination, sexual harassment, unlawful retaliation, and unequal pay by the Recording Academy.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.