Country music superstar Garth Brooks is facing serious allegations of sexual assault and battery in a lawsuit filed in California state court. The accuser, using the pseudonym “Jane Roe”, claims that while working as a hairstylist and makeup artist for the Grammy-winning singer, she was raped and repeatedly groped by him.
According to the lawsuit, the alleged assault took place in May 2019 when Mr. Brooks invited the accuser to travel with him on his private jet to a Grammy tribute in Los Angeles. Upon arrival at the hotel, it is claimed that Mr. Brooks had only booked a single suite with one bedroom for them to share, where the assault allegedly occurred.
The lawsuit also alleges that Mr. Brooks continued to make sexual advances towards the accuser on other occasions, including proposing a threesome with his wife, fellow country star Trisha Yearwood. Mr. Brooks has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit “extortion and defamation”.
In a statement to the BBC, Mr. Brooks said, “For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars. It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face.”
Litigation over the matter began three weeks ago with an anonymous lawsuit filed in Mississippi federal court by Mr. Brooks, who described himself as “a celebrity and public figure who resides in Tennessee”. He claims that the accusations arose after he refused the accuser’s request for salaried employment and medical benefits.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Mr. Brooks remains a household name known far beyond the country music genre. With two Grammy wins and over 162 million albums sold, he is a music icon worth about $400 million. Known for his philanthropic work, particularly in supporting organizations that benefit children and provide relief after natural disasters, Mr. Brooks maintains his innocence and trust in the legal system to reveal the truth.
