Country music legend Garth Brooks is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. He faces accusations of sexual assault and battery, according to new legal documents unearthed by CNN.
The case was initiated by a woman referred to as “Jane Roe.” She claims to have been employed by the celebrated musician as a hairstylist and makeup artist, filing the lawsuit in California on October 3rd.
Roe’s allegations stem from her professional relationship with Brooks, beginning in 2017. Remarkably, her initial association was in 1999 when she was hired to handle hair and makeup for Trisha Yearwood, Brooks’ wife.
The complaint accuses Brooks, now 62, of various inappropriate behaviors in 2019. It includes allegations of him exposing himself, sending sexually explicit messages, and discussing personal sexual content with Roe. The suit also claims Brooks often changed clothes in Roe’s presence.
Disturbingly, the lawsuit includes an accusation of rape during May 2019, when Brooks was in Los Angeles for a Grammy tribute performance. Roe alleges this heinous act happened during that work trip.
Before Roe’s public filing, Brooks, under the moniker “John Doe,” attempted to seal her allegations through legal means. This was an effort to prevent her from repeating the accusations publicly.
Following the filing, Brooks stated to CNN, “For the last two months, I have been relentlessly harassed with threats of false stories about my future unless I paid a significant amount of money.”
He continued, “Paying any amount as hush money equals admitting to acts I never committed. Such cruel deeds shouldn’t be done to anyone.”
Brooks explained that his anonymous lawsuit was a stand against blackmail and character defamation, and it was filed to protect the families involved.
His earlier John Doe complaint mentioned receiving a “confidential” letter from Roe’s attorney. This correspondence surfaced after Roe’s demands for full-time employment and healthcare benefits were declined.
“The allegations are unfounded,” Brooks asserted in his complaint. The singer expressed concern about the irreversible harm these false claims could do to his image both as a respected individual and a professional. He stressed how such allegations would adversely affect his family and career in profound ways.
The lawsuit claims the journey in 2019 saw Brooks and Roe flying to Los Angeles aboard Brooks’ private jet, noting there were usually more passengers, but that time, it was just the two of them.
Upon reaching the hotel in Los Angeles, Roe alleges there was only one suite booked, containing a single bedroom for both.
Roe’s complaint specifies an incident where Brooks appeared nude within the hotel suite, leaving her feeling “trapped” and alone with him.
Roe’s legal representatives told CNN that Brooks’ Mississippi complaint was merely an intimidation tactic. They argued it was a desperate attempt by the singer to suppress Roe’s claims.
They expressed optimism in holding Brooks accountable and praised Roe’s bravery in moving forward with her complaint. Her attorneys remarked that sexual misconduct isn’t confined to corporate America or Hollywood, but also pervades the country music scene.