N.O.R.E. Sued for Sexual Assault

N. O. R. E. (Getty Images)CommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyNote: This article contains descriptions of alleged sexual assault.

N. O. R. E. is facing allegations of sexual assault from a former music executive, who claims the Queens rapper and podcast host forcibly digitally penetrated her in a Manhattan nightclub in 1999.

At the time, Carmen Bryan, who was working as the finance officer of Def Jam affiliate Rush Management, ran into N. O. R. E. (born Victor James Santiago Jr.) during an event promoting his second album, Melvin Flynt – Da Hustler.

Bryan says Santiago forced himself onto her in front of her friends and other club patrons, according to a lawsuit obtained by Pitchfork. Despite her pleas to stop, the assault only ended when bystanders “shouted” and “physically pulled him away.”.

Crying uncontrollably, Bryan fled the club. Per the suit, Santiago proceeded to follow her, making sexually explicit comments and demanding, “Don’t you know who I am?” It was only in the illumination of streetlights that Santiago recognized Bryan as the partner of rapper Nas.

In March, Bryan sent a pre-suit settlement to Santiago, hoping to resolve the issue while informing him that his “unlawful conduct” constituted “forcible touching, assault, disorderly conduct, sexual misconduct, and a violation of her civil rights.” Santiago reportedly claimed that he did not know Bryan.

Pitchfork has reached out to N. O. R. E.’s lawyer for comment.

If you or someone you know has been affected by inappropriate sexual behavior, we encourage you to reach out for support.

RAINN Hotlinehttp://www.rainn.org1 800 656 HOPE (4673).

Crisis Text Linehttp://www.facebook.com/crisistextline (chat support)SMS: Text “HERE” to 741-741.