Garth Brooks Seeks to Transfer Sexual Assault Case to Federal Court
The country music star, aged 62, is aiming to escalate his legal battle against “Jane Roe,” the woman who has accused him of sexual assault and battery, to a federal level. On Friday, November 1, Brooks submitted new legal documents, requesting that his case against Roe be heard in federal court. This move is prompted by the fact that the damages she is seeking in her lawsuit exceed $75,000, qualifying it under federal court jurisdiction.
Related: Garth Brooks: 90's Country music star accused of rape in lawsuit
Brooks Seeks Federal Court for Potential Advantages
Legal analyst Tre Lovell shared with Entertainment Tonight that moving the case to federal court could offer several benefits, such as a “faster trial date,” a “wider jury pool,” and a greater likelihood that judges may be more inclined to dismiss cases in that court. This development follows Brooks’ decision last month to re-file his initial complaint against Roe, who previously worked as a hairstylist and makeup artist for him and his wife, Trisha Yearwood. In the court filings, he stated that he felt compelled to name her after her attorneys allegedly “disclosed” his identity to the media.
Garth Brooks
Roe's Legal Team Responds to Brooks' Claims
In response, Roe’s legal team, consisting of Douglas H. Wigdor, Jeanne M. Christensen, and Hayley Baker, issued a statement asserting that “Garth Brooks just revealed his true self.” They further claimed, “With no legal justification, Brooks outed her because he believes the laws don’t apply to him. We will be seeking maximum sanctions against him on behalf of our client immediately.”
Related: Garth Brooks Considers Move to Ireland Amid Sexual Assault Controversy
Brooks Denies Allegations, Cites Harassment and Blackmail
In his complaint, the “Friends in Low Places” singer alleged that he was the “victim of a shakedown” and accused Roe of orchestrating a “malicious scheme to blackmail” him into providing her with “millions of dollars” after he turned down her requests for a salary and medical benefits. Brooks alleged that Roe "threatened" to "publicly reveal false accusations" against him that could "jeopardize" his business and reputation, referring to claims she made in a complaint filed on October 3.
In that complaint, she accused the country singer of exposing himself to her, discussing his sexual fantasies, and sending her explicit text messages back in 2019. He has refuted Roe’s claims, stating that he has been "harassed endlessly with threats, falsehoods, and tragic stories about what my future would look like if I didn’t pay out millions of dollars."
"I want to make music… I want to keep doing good things moving forward. It pains me that these amazing efforts are now under scrutiny. I have faith in the system, I am not afraid of the truth, and I am not the person they have portrayed me to be," Brooks expressed in his statement.
