A musician who filed a lawsuit against former Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow for alleged sexual assault has requested the court to dismiss her case, citing fears for her safety and emotional well-being. The woman, who had chosen to remain anonymous, filed the federal lawsuit in November, accusing Portnow of drugging and raping her in a New York hotel room in 2018.

According to documents obtained by Pitchfork, the woman's decision to withdraw the complaint was influenced by the sudden resignation of her attorney and concerns that her identity might be revealed if the court granted a motion by the prosecution. The woman named the Recording Academy as a defendant in the lawsuit, stating that the organization should have been aware of Portnow's alleged abusive behavior and had facilitated it to protect their own reputation. Both Portnow and the academy have denied the accusations.

In her request to dismiss the lawsuit voluntarily without prejudice, the woman explained that her lawyer informed her of the prosecution's intention to file a motion to reveal her identity. She expressed concern that this motion would likely be approved, potentially resulting in "grave harm" to her. Adding to her confusion, she also noted that her attorney had informed her of his decision to resign from representing her. In a letter to the judge, she wrote, "The circumstances surrounding this case have created a genuine concern for my safety and emotional well-being. Dismissing the case would alleviate this fear and allow me to move forward without unnecessary risks."

Pitchfork reached out to the woman's counsel and Neil Portnow for comment, but no response has been received. A representative for the Recording Academy declined to comment when contacted by Pitchfork.

As the case takes a new turn with the accuser requesting the dismissal of her lawsuit, the public awaits further updates on the matter.