Garth Brooks Controversy: Accusations Of Assault And The Legal Response

The facts surrounding accusations against Garth Brooks are pretty straight-forward, but that doesn’t mean it’s clear what happened. Brooks and the plaintiff — identified as "Jane Roe" — tell two very different stories. He denies her allegations of sexual assault, battery, and rape, going as far as to label the claims "extortion." Through her attorney, Roe says Brooks is trying to silence her, and she’s confident the star will be held accountable for his actions.

Below is everything you need to know about these charges and the plaintiff, including a murder-for-hire plot that has not yet been made public.

What Is Garth Brooks Accused Of?

Garth Brooks is being accused of sexual assault and battery in a lawsuit filed by Jane Roe in a state court in California on Oct. 3. The complaint details an alleged rape as well, and further charges Brooks of continued harassment after two specific instances described below.

Who Is Accusing Garth Brooks of Rape and Sexual Assault?

"Jane Roe" (not her real name) is a hairstylist and makeup artist who used to work for Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. She states that she began working for Yearwood in 1999 and Brooks in 2017, stopping her work with Brooks in 2021 when she moved to Mississippi.

Brooks offers a different story. In a preemptive lawsuit, he claims that Roe worked as an independent contractor with him for 15 years prior to her moving from Tennessee to Mississippi.

What Does Jane Roe Say Happened With Garth Brooks?

Taste of Country has obtained the legal complaint first reported on by CNN. Other outlets have shared some of the more graphic details of the 9,000-word document, but even they omitted large portions.

Here are the three most notable charges:

• In early 2019, Roe says she was at Brooks' home when he walked out of the shower naked, grabbed her hands, and forced them onto his genitals while using sexual language.
• In May of 2019, Roe claims she was raped by Brooks in a hotel room during a work trip to Los Angeles, where Brooks was booked to tape a Grammy tribute performance.
• In late October of 2019, Brooks allegedly brought Roe to L.A. again. When she entered his room to do his hair and makeup, she claims he made it clear he wanted to repeat what had happened in May. The filing notes that, "Ms. Roe managed to escape the situation because he was running late and people were waiting to pick him up."

According to Roe's filing, Brooks learned she was experiencing financial difficulties in early 2019 and began to hire her more often. She mentions that he would talk about sex and describe his sexual fantasies, and he would change in front of her, exposing his genitals and buttocks.

Additionally, she alleges Brooks would grope her breasts while she was doing his hair and makeup and encourage her to exchange sexual text messages. The document includes one specific message sent between the two of them, but also states that in 2020 he reportedly took Roe's phone and deleted most of the text messages containing sexual content.

There were also emails; Roe states he frequently emailed using a different pseudonym.

Is There Any Supporting Evidence?

Potential evidence could include text exchanges, phone records, receipts from trips to Los Angeles, emails, and corroborating witnesses.

Jane Roe only includes one screenshot of an alleged exchange in her claim but adds many quotes she says were from her or him. Throughout the filing, she refers to emails and text messages exchanged and also indicates others on Brooks' team witnessed this behavior. She specifically refers to an alleged conversation about a shampoo bottle witnessed by Brooks’ manager, "Randy" (possibly Randy Bernard, Brooks' co-manager).

Other conversations included Yearwood, she claims.

What About the Lawsuit Garth Brooks Filed?

On Sept. 13, Brooks' legal team filed a motion to proceed pseudonymously in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi Northern Division (Jane Roe lives in Mississippi). CNN revealed that Brooks hoped to preemptively stop Roe from filing or to proceed under John Doe and Jane Doe pseudonyms.

Brooks later confirmed that.

According to John Doe (Brooks) in that suit, Roe's lawyers sent him a demand letter on July 17. It threatened to file a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct unless he paid her millions of dollars.

"Defendant also alleged a belief that Plaintiff planned to hire someone to murder her," the Sept. 13 claim states.

Furthermore, it reads that in May of 2020, she moved to Mississippi and soon began demanding financial assistance. He acquiesced, but when Roe demanded salaried employment and benefits, he "could no longer agree."

Garth Brooks' Response to Jane Roe's Allegations

Hours after Jane Roe's allegations became public, Brooks sent a statement to media outlets:

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.

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

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.

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.

Understanding the Broader Implications

The allegations against Garth Brooks highlight complex issues surrounding fame, power dynamics, and accountability in the entertainment industry. As discussions of sexual misconduct continue to permeate various sectors, this case serves as a critical reminder of the need for transparency and justice.

These situations often lead to public discourse about the treatment of women and the importance of believing survivors. As more stories emerge, the hope is that systemic changes will take place to protect individuals from being victimized and ensure that their voices are heard.

Ultimately, the outcome of this case will likely influence not only Brooks' career but also the broader cultural landscape concerning abuse, consent, and the consequences of allegations in the public eye.