A prominent figure in the country music scene, Garth Brooks, has been sued over allegations of sexual assault by a former member of his makeup and styling team. The legal documents were submitted to a California state court detailing the claims.
The suit accuses Brooks of multiple instances of sexual misconduct during the year 2019, CNN reported.
Known in court filings only as "Jane Roe," the plaintiff formerly worked closely with Brooks, starting her tenure in 2017. Originally brought on to assist Brooks' wife, Trisha Yearwood, Roe's connection to the couple dates back to 1999.
According to the claim, Roe endured an array of inappropriate behaviors at the hands of Brooks. Details of the allegations include an incident during a work trip in May 2019, where she accuses Brooks of raping her.
The claims further detail how Brooks allegedly exhibited sexually explicit behavior including exposing himself and recounting sexual fantasies. Roe contends that Brooks also changed his clothes in her presence without consent and sent her explicit text messages.
An especially alarming incident allegedly occurred at Brooks’ residence in 2019. Roe asserts that Brooks forcefully placed her hands on his genitals after he emerged from a shower.
The lawsuit indicates that during a trip to Los Angeles, associated with a Grammy tribute event, Brooks and Roe were the sole occupants of his private jet. The complaint states that Brooks arranged accommodations comprising a single-bedroom suite, leaving Roe without her room.
The dynamics between the parties were further complicated earlier this year when Brooks filed a suit against Roe under the pseudonym "John Doe." In it, he accuses her of extortion and defamation, seeking to prevent her from publicizing her claims.
Brooks has publicly refuted the allegations through various statements, emphasizing his refusal to give in to demands for hush money: "Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of — ugly acts no human should ever do to another."
Roe, on the other hand, had approached Brooks for a salaried position with medical benefits, which he declined. After the refusal, according to Brooks, Roe began to orchestrate a campaign threatening him with lies and demands for large sums of money.
Brooks expressed his distress over the situation, stating that the last two months have seen him "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."
In response to the lawsuit, Jane Roe's legal team, comprised of attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor, Jeanne M. Christensen, and Hayley Baker, issued a supportive statement for their client, stressing their belief in her claims and commending her bravery. "We are confident that Brooks will be held accountable for his actions. We applaud our client’s courage in moving forward with her complaint against Garth Brooks."
The case is set to be a crucial litmus test, not just for the individuals involved, but for the broader music industry, highlighting the ongoing issues of sexual misconduct in various entertainment sectors. As the court proceedings unfold, both parties stand on precipices of public scrutiny and legal ramifications that could profoundly affect their reputations and careers.
