Garth Brooks’ request to dismiss sexual assault lawsuit denied

A US judge has refused to dismiss a sexualassault and battery lawsuit against country music star Garth Brooks.

In October, a former employee claimed that Brooks had raped her in a hotel room in 2019, as well as subjected her to unwanted sexual conduct, such as exposing himself on several occasions.

Over a month ago, Brooks filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuits. On December 16, however, the court “denied” Brooks’ motion “without prejudice” or temporarily denied it, pending the outcome of another lawsuit against the accuser filed in Mississippi on September 13.

The Mississippi lawsuit cites “defamation,” “false light invasion of privacy” and “intentional infliction of emotional distress through outrageous conduct.”

Requesting a dismissal of the case, Brooks argued that the lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court was a “duplicative” of the aforementioned defamation lawsuit.

However, US District Judge Michael Fitzgerald has denied his motion to dismiss the case, temporarily pausing proceedings in the Californian case until the outcome of pending motions in Mississippi, according to court documents.

Jeanne Christensen, a lawyer for the accuser, told the PA news agency: “We remain confident that Brooks will be held accountable for his actions and his efforts to silence our client through the filing of a pre-emptive complaint in Mississippi was nothing other than an act of desperation and attempted intimidation.”

Brooks previously described the Californian lawsuit as an attempt at extortion for “millions of dollars”.