Garth Brooks seeks to have complaint heard in federal court
Garth Brooks wants his complaint against a woman who accused him of rape to be moved to be heard in federal court.
Garth Brooks wants his complaint against a woman who accused him of rape to be moved to a higher court.
The 62-year-old singer - who is the subject of a sexual assault and battery lawsuit filed by his former hairstylist, known anonymously as Jane Roe - has alleged he is the victim of a "shakedown" and filed documents last week to have his complaint against his accuser to be heard in federal court as she is seeking more than $75,000 in damages, which fall within the court's regulations.
Legal expert Tre Lovell explained to 'Entertainment Tonight' that there would be a number of "advantages" for the 'Friends in Low Places' singer having the case moved.
He said: "It's probably easier to seal filings. Usually, you get a quicker trial date. Judges are more amenable to dismissing a case. Los Angeles tends to be more of a minority blue-collar jury pool; in federal court, you have a broader jury poll, and a broader jury poll, I think, would help Garth as well in this case."
In his complaint, Brooks alleged the woman had “devised a malicious scheme to blackmail” him into paying her “millions of dollars” after he “rejected her request for salaried employment and medical benefits.” He claimed she “threatened” had threatened to“publicly disclose false claims” about him in order to “imperil his business and reputation.”
He claimed the woman had worked as an "independent contractor” for him for 15 years before relocating from Tennessee to Mississippi and she asked for, and received, assistance when she "encountered financial difficulties" following her move.
The 'River' hitmaker alleged that after denying a request for permanent employment, the woman “responded with false and outrageous allegations of sexual misconduct she claims occurred years ago.”
He then received a "demand letter", which was also sent to others who he worked with, in July, which listed allegations including "grooming, unwanted sexual touching and sexual assault".
The country star faced criticism for naming the woman in his complaint but he claimed in documents he had done so due to her attorneys having “disclosed” his identity to the media.
Jane Roe's attorneys told People magazine in a statement: “Garth Brooks just revealed his true self.
“With no legal justification, Brooks outed her because he thinks the laws don’t apply to him. On behalf of our client, we will be moving for maximum sanctions against him immediately."
