Garth Brooks Describes Sexual Assault Lawsuit As 'Extortion And Defamation'

Garth Brooks has shared a statement after a woman remaining anonymous, Jane Roe, filed a lawsuit against him, which accused the country music star of sexual assault and lewd behaviour. After denying the allegations, Brooks described the lawsuit as “extortion and defamation of character.”

In her lawsuit, Jane Roe alleged that Brooks sexually assaulted her in a hotel room and made her a subject of continuous unwanted sexual conduct. Roe claimed that the trauma from the rape was so severe that she contemplated suicide.

The New York Times reported that Brooks, filing a case anonymously, filed a pre-emptive lawsuit against Jane Roe three weeks ago in Mississippi, claiming that she was making “false and outrageous allegations of sexual misconduct she claims occurred years ago.”

When the reports of allegations against Brooks surfaced this week, he hadn’t made a public statement. That changed that night (3 October).

“For the last two months, I have been 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. It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face,” Brooks shared in a statement, per Good Morning America.

“Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior [sic] I am incapable of—ugly acts no human should ever do to another.”

Brooks confirmed that his team did indeed file an anonymous lawsuit against Jane Roe and continued, “We filed suit against this person nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides.”

Referring to his most recent show at Caesar’s Palace as part of his Las Vegas residency, the statement concluded, “I want to play music tonight. I want to continue our good deeds going forward. It breaks my heart these wonderful things are in question now. I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be.”

Following the concert, Brooks wrote on Instagram, “If there was ever a night that I really needed this, TONIGHT was that night! Thank you for my life!!!!!”

This article mentions assault and trauma. If you or someone you know is affected by these experiences and needs to contact someone, please get in touch with 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

If you’re in the US, you can contact:

RAINN Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
http://www.rainn.org

Crisis Text Line
SMS: Text “HERE” to 741-741
http://www.facebook.com/crisistextline (chat support)