Country music star Garth Brooks is accused of sexual assault and battery in a lawsuit filed in California state court.
The accuser, who uses the fake name “Jane Roe”, was working as a hairstylist and makeup artist for the Grammy-winning singer when he raped her, the lawsuit said.
The woman’s case says that he repeatedly groped her and talked to her about sexual images when she was employed from 2017-20.
In a statement sent by the BBC, Mr Brooks said the woman’s case was “fraud and defamation”.
In May 2019, the accuser claims that Mr. Brooks asked her to accompany him on his private jet to the Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles.
When they arrived at the hotel, Mr Brooks had only booked a single room for the two of them to share, according to the legal action.
Her case says that while she was inside the hotel, Mr. Brooks was seen naked at the door of the room before he raped her.
After the alleged assault, she says Mr. Brooks continued to demand sex at times, forcing her to put his hands on her private parts and talking about her thoughts, the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit also alleges that Mr. Brooks proposed to his wife, country star Trisha Yearwood. The BBC has contacted Ms Yearwood for comment.
In his statement to the BBC, Mr Brooks said: “For the past two months I have been bombarded with threats, lies and sad news about what my future would be like if I didn’t write a check for millions of people. It was as if I had been hit in the face with a loaded gun.
“Hush money, no matter how big or small, it’s still money for peace. In my mind, that means I’m condoning behavior that I can’t do—bad things that no one should do to another.”
He continued: “I want to play music tonight. I want to continue our good deeds going forward. It breaks my heart these good things that are being asked now. I trust the show, I’m not honest, and I’m not the one who painted me man.”
Litigation on the matter began three weeks ago with an anonymous lawsuit filed in Mississippi federal court by a person described as a “public figure who lives in Tennessee”. This was Mr. Brooks.
Mr Brooks said Jane Roe had brought the case after she was denied employment with medical benefits.
His early legal action strongly denied his allegations, calling them “hateful and untrue”.
Mr Brooks’ lawsuit also said the allegations were a threat intended to cause “serious, irreparable damage” to his reputation, family and career.
On Thursday, attorneys for Jane Roe filed their 27-page legal petition in Los Angeles Superior Court.
In addition to sexual harassment and assault, her lawsuit accuses Mr. Brooks of repeatedly exposing himself, making sexually explicit comments and sending inappropriate messages.
Garth Brooks is a household name known beyond the country music genre.
Jane Roe’s case says she is a two-time Grammy winner who has sold more than 162 million albums and is worth an estimated $400m (£305m).
He is known for his commitment to charitable work, especially organizations that help children and provide local relief after natural disasters.
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