Country star accused of sexual assault in lawsuit

Country music superstar Garth Brooks has been charged with sexual assault and battery in a lawsuit filed in California state court.

The accuser, using the pseudonym “Jane Roe,” was working as a hair and makeup artist for the Grammy-winning singer when he raped her, the lawsuit says.

The woman’s lawsuit alleges he also repeatedly groped her and made sexually explicit comments to her during his employment from 2017-20.

In a statement to the BBC, Mr Brooks said the woman’s lawsuit was “extortion and defamation”.

In May 2019, the accuser alleges that Mr. Brooks asked her to travel with him on his private jet to a Grammy Awards tribute in Los Angeles.

When they arrived at the hotel, Mr. Brooks had only booked a single suite with a shared bedroom, according to the lawsuit.

Her lawsuit alleges that once inside the hotel suite, Mr. Brooks appeared naked in the doorway of the room before raping her.

After the alleged attack, she claims Mr. Brooks continued to make sexual advances on other occasions, forcing her to put her hands on his genitals and share his fantasies, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit also alleges that Mr. Brooks propositioned Jane Roe to have a threesome with his wife, country star Trisha Yearwood. The BBC has contacted Ms Yearwood for comment.

In his statement to the BBC, Mr Brooks said: “Over the past two months I have been harassed endlessly by threats, lies and tragic stories about what my future would be like if I did not make a check for several million dollars. dollars. It felt like someone was holding a loaded gun in my face.

“Hid money, no matter how small or small, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I’m admitting to behavior I’m incapable of: horrible acts that no human should ever do to another.”

He added: “I want to play music tonight. I want to continue our good deeds. It breaks my heart that these wonderful things are in question now. I trust the system, I’m not afraid to the truth and I’m not the man they painted me to be.”

Litigation over the matter began three weeks ago with an anonymous lawsuit filed in Mississippi federal court by someone described as “a celebrity and public figure residing in Tennessee.” It was Mr. Brooks.

Mr. Brooks said Jane Roe made the accusation after he refused his request for paid employment and medical benefits.

His pretrial lawsuit strongly denied his allegations, calling them “repugnant and false.”

Mr. Brooks’ lawsuit also said the charges constituted a threat intended to cause “substantial and irreparable harm” to his reputation, family and career.

Jane Roe’s lawyers filed a 27-page lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday.

In addition to sexual assault and battery, his lawsuit accuses Mr. Brooks of repeatedly exposing himself, making sexually explicit comments and sending inappropriate text messages.

Garth Brooks is a household name far beyond the country music genre.

Jane Roe’s lawsuit says he is a two-time Grammy winner, has sold more than 162 million albums and is worth an estimated $400 million (£305 million).

He is known for his commitment to philanthropic work, particularly supporting organizations that help children and provide local relief after natural disasters.