Music mogul Antonio “L.A.” Reid is set to represent himself in his upcoming trial on allegations that he sexually assaulted former Arista A&R executive Drew Dixon, after his attorneys chose to withdraw from the case.
During a 30-minute video hearing in the New York civil case, U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas referred to Reid as “pro se,” meaning without an attorney, per Rolling Stone.
Reid’s attorneys previously told the court Reid hadn’t paid them since February, despite owning a Bel-Air mansion he’s been unable to sell, even after slashing the price by millions.
Reid’s former lawyers, from Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir LLP, promised to cooperate with any new counsel and “facilitate” communication with Dixon’s legal team and reminded them that if he misses the Aug. 25 hearing, it “could result in default.”
The judge ordered Reid’s personal phone number and home address to be provided to court staff and emphasized that the Sept. 8 trial date remains “firm.”
In her 2023 lawsuit, Dixon alleged Reid began harassing her soon after becoming Arista’s CEO in 2000. She claims he assaulted her on a private plane in 2001 and again months later in a car. Dixon also alleged he retaliated by dismissing artists she championed, including Kanye West and John Legend.
“Reid adamantly denies the allegations,” his lawyers wrote last year. Judge Vargas recently ruled that Dixon can pursue lost commissions tied to the alleged retaliation.