Former Lumineers Manager David Meinert Accused Of Sexual Assault

Photo by Kevin Casey/WireImage – David Meinert
David Meinert and guest during 2005 Grammy Telecast Party at Science Fiction Museum at the EMP in Seattle, Washington, United States.

Representatives of Pike Pine LLC have sent through the following statement from Aug. 2, clarifying that David Meinert no longer has any interest in Pike Pine LLC, The Comet Tavern, or Lost Lake Café. 

“As of earlier this week,  Pike Pine Diner LLC and David Meinert came to an agreement to part ways. David is officially no longer a partner at Lost Lake, Comet, Guild Seattle or Grim’s. Additionally, Pike Pine LLC will be selling its shares in Grim’s to managing partner Joey Burgess. We’re meeting with our staff this morning to bring them up to date and give them the opportunity to ask us questions and introduce them to the HR company we are now working with.  We’ve also set up a hotline where they can connect with a mental health professional for counseling, which we will pay for. Supporting our staff through this difficult time is, and will continue to be, our number one priority. We look forward to continuing to focus our energies on creating a great work environment, and customer experience for all our employees and guests.”

The story below has been updated to reflect accurate information.

David Meinert, a former tastemaker in the Seattle music scene, is being accused of rape, sexual assault,  and/or sexual misconduct by 11 women. 

The women have accused Meinert of various forms of inappropriate or illegal sexual activity, according to KUOW.org. Initially, five women shared stories with the radio station alleging two rapes, refusal to leave an apartment, a forced kiss and that he choked a woman while masturbating on her skirt.

After this initial article, Meinert spoke to KUOW, admitting to inappropriate behavior, but denying accusations of rape and sexual assault: “The #MeToo movement has pointed out how widespread and grotesque of a situation we have with how men have treated women for thousands of years, and that includes me.

“I have crossed the line of respect. I think that I’ve been pushy or handsy, which we might have called it in the past, but now looking back it’s more than that, and it’s an invasion, and it crosses the line.”

Six more women brought their stories forward in another KUOW article published Aug. 9, alleging further instances of sexual misconduct and assault. 

The former five women all remained anonymous, but the latter six all revealed their identities and shared detailed accounts of their experience with the former Seattle-scene leader.

The recent accusers include musician Eryn Young, Seattle Times food critic Bethany Jean Clement; and Rebecca Jacobs, a former promotions manager at The Crocodile music club.

Young claims she was chatting with Meinert at a bar after a performance when he inserted his fingers into her vagina. Clement claimed Meinert lingered after a party she threw in her house and forcibly kissed her. Jacobs claimed Meinert pulled out his penis and pulled her hand toward it after giving her a ride home.

Meinert owns the 5 Point Café and recently parted ways with Pike Pine Diner LLC. The Seattle Times recently reported that Washington Governor Jay Inslee donated the $1,500 that Meinert had given to his campaign to charity. 

After news of the accusations broke he was dropped by the band Hey Marseilles and The Lumineers, according to the Times. 

Pollstar reached out to David Meinert for this story, but hadn’t heard back at press time.