Legendary music executive L.A. Reid has reached a confidential settlement with Drew Dixon, resolving a federal lawsuit that accused the former executive behind superstars such as Usher and T.I. of sexual assault and was set to proceed to trial in New York this week.
Dixon brought the suit in 2023 under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, a temporary statute that revived time-barred claims involving alleged sexual abuse. The complaint centered on events Dixon said occurred in 2001, when Reid served as president and CEO of Arista Records.
#DocketDivaUpdate: #DrewDixon has spoken publicly after settling her civil case with #LAReid, ending years of litigation tied to allegations she has long maintained. Reid has denied wrongdoing.
The case did not go to trial and there was no verdict. A settlement ends litigation;… pic.twitter.com/3fpcyvRjfj
— Docket Diva
(@_LaJanee_) January 12, 2026
In her filing, Dixon alleged that Reid sexually assaulted her on two occasions. She claimed the first incident occurred aboard a private flight and the second later inside Reid’s car. Reid has repeatedly denied the allegations, and his legal team maintained that position through the litigation.
The case had been scheduled for trial in federal court, where both Dixon and Reid were expected to testify. The proceedings were anticipated to attract significant attention, given the prominence of the parties and the broader legal implications of claims brought under the Adult Survivors Act.
L.A. REID Settles Federal Lawsuit With Drew Dixon Ahead Of Trial
The settlement terms were not disclosed. Dixon’s attorney, Kenya Davis, characterized the resolution as an important outcome for survivors who pursue accountability through civil litigation. In a statement, Davis praised Dixon’s advocacy and cited her role in supporting legislative efforts that led to the passage of the Adult Survivors Act.
Reid’s attorney, Imran Ansari, said the settlement does not include any admission of liability. According to Ansari, the matter was resolved amicably, bringing the litigation to a close without a determination on the merits.
During pretrial proceedings, Dixon alleged that Reid retaliated against her professionally after she rejected his advances. She claimed Reid declined to sign Grammy-winning artist John Legend to Arista as a form of reprisal. Reid denied any retaliatory conduct, and his counsel disputed that the allegations had factual support. Legend was among the witnesses expected to testify had the case gone to trial.
Separate from the Reid litigation, Dixon has accused Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons of raping her in 1995, an allegation Simmons has denied. In 2024, Dixon filed a defamation lawsuit against Simmons, alleging he harmed her reputation by publicly disputing her claims. That case remains pending and is currently in the discovery phase.
The settlement with Reid concludes one of the higher-profile cases brought under New York’s Adult Survivors Act. However, litigation tied to alleged sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry continues to test the scope of revival statutes and their impact on long-dormant claims.