Country singer and songwriter Garth Brooks is facing serious allegations of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed by a former employee. The plaintiff, identified as “Jane Roe,” claims she worked as Brooks’ hairstylist and makeup artist.
According to a CNN report, the lawsuit which was filed in California on Thursday, alleges multiple incidents of misconduct, including a rape that allegedly occurred during a work trip to Los Angeles in 2019. The complaint states that Jane Roe started working for the music icon in 2017, having previously worked for his wife, Trisha Yearwood, since 1999. The suit details several alleged incidents, including unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate exposure, and sexually explicit communications.
In one instance, the plaintiff claims that while she was working at Garth Brooks’ home, the singer emerged from the shower naked and forced her to touch his genitals by grabbing her hands. Another incident allegedly occurred during a work trip to Los Angeles in May 2019. Roe states that she and Brooks traveled alone on his private jet, which was unusual. Upon arrival, she was surprised to find they were sharing a hotel suite with only one bedroom. It was in this hotel room that Roe alleges Brooks raped her.
Following these incidents, Roe claims Brooks’ behavior escalated. She alleges he continued to tell her more and more about his sexual fantasies, even making remarks about how he wanted to have a threesome with his wife. CNN reports that the recent lawsuit also accuses Brooks of changing his clothes in front of the plaintiff on multiple occasions, exposing his genitals, and sending her unwanted sexually explicit text messages.
These allegations came to light after Brooks allegedly declined Roe’s request for salaried employment and medical benefits. Subsequently, Roe’s attorney sent Brooks a “confidential” demand letter alleging sexual misconduct. In response, Brooks filed a preemptive lawsuit in Mississippi federal court in September 2023 as “John Doe,” attempting to block these allegations from becoming public. He also denied the accusations and claimed they would cause irreparable harm to his reputation and career. This action was followed by Roe’s formal lawsuit filed on Thursday, bringing these accusations into the public domain.
Furthermore, Garth Brooks has released a statement to People magazine saying he had been “hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales” for the past two months. Again, he firmly denies the accusations, stating, “I am incapable of — ugly acts no human should ever do to another.”
According to USA Today, the lawsuit was filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act. This act allows sexual abuse claims that would normally be barred by the statute of limitations to be revived.