Legal documents obtained by The Times reveal that Jimmie Allen, a country music artist famous for his songs “Best Shot” and “Warrior,” is facing a lawsuit from his former manager, who accuses him of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, sex trafficking, and causing emotional distress.
According to legal documents obtained by The Times, a woman who wishes to remain anonymous due to still working in the music industry, has filed a lawsuit against Jimmie Allen’s management company, Wide Open Music, accusing the country music artist of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, sex trafficking, and emotional distress. The woman alleges that she was regularly sexually abused, raped, and harassed by Allen for a period of 18 months while working for the management company.
BBR Music Group suspends Jimmie Allen following allegations of sexual assault and harassment made by his former manager. The label released a statement saying that they would be suspending all activity with Allen with immediate effect. The country musician was scheduled to perform at the CMAFest in Nashville on June 11, but the Country Music Association removed him from the lineup following the lawsuit going public. Other artists on the lineup included Luke Bryan and Tim McGraw.
Jimmie Allen was removed as the commencement speaker for Delaware State University’s graduation ceremony and replaced by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) following the allegations of sexual assault and harassment made against him.
In a lawsuit filed on Thursday in a Tennessee federal court, Jimmie Allen’s former manager, identified as “Jane Doe,” claims that in March 2021, she woke up in her hotel room naked, experiencing vaginal bleeding and pain, with no memory of the previous evening. She alleged that Allen was lying beside her and instructed her to take a Plan B pill, and that she realized he had taken her virginity without her consent.
In an exposé by Variety on Thursday, Jane Doe, identified as Allen’s former manager in a lawsuit filed in a Tennessee federal court, stated that she felt a sense of panic and disconnected from her body when Allen allegedly sexually assaulted her in a hotel room, taking her virginity against her will while she was naked, bleeding, and in pain. She added that Allen held her in place, making her physically unable to resist. The abuse allegedly escalated, with Allen putting his hands down her pants in public and sexually assaulting her at red lights, green rooms, airplanes, and other required places where she drove Allen to and from events.
According to legal documents obtained by The Times, Jane Doe alleges that Allen raped her in private while choking her and filmed multiple sexual encounters in order to blackmail her into staying silent. She also claimed that Allen regularly sexually abused and harassed her over the course of a year and a half. Allen, however, denied any wrongdoing and stated that their relationship was consensual in a statement provided to The Times.
According to a statement given to The Times, Allen denied all the allegations made against him. He said that the woman was his close friend, colleague, and confidant, and it is deeply troubling and hurtful that she would make false accusations against him. Allen acknowledged that he and the woman had a consensual sexual relationship that lasted for almost two years. He added that during this period, the woman never accused him of any wrongdoing and expressed her desire to continue their relationship and friendship indefinitely.
According to The Times, Allen responded to the allegations by stating, “It is hurtful that someone who was once a close friend, colleague, and confidant would make false accusations against me.” He also claimed that their sexual relationship was consensual and lasted for almost two years without any allegations of wrongdoing. Allen further stated that the accuser only hired a lawyer after their relationship ended to demand money, which raises questions about her motives. He plans to defend himself against the accusations and take legal action to protect his reputation.
According to Jane Doe’s attorney, they never requested a payout and only asked to meet with Jimmie Allen and his legal team to discuss his behavior and resolve their client’s claims. They claim that at no point did their client make a monetary demand. However, when they requested the meeting, Allen’s team responded with a hard no and threatened to publicly tarnish their client. The attorney stated that their client had no choice but to file the complaint to protect herself.
According to legal documents, Jane Doe is suing Jimmie Allen’s former management company Wide Open Music (WOM) and its founder Ash Bowers. She alleges that when she reported the abuse to Bowers, WOM not only dropped Allen but also terminated her employment. The lawsuit also claims that when Jane Doe was assigned to manage Allen, Bowers informed her that the Grammy-nominated artist was known for pushing boundaries and was “promiscuous but harmless.”
Elizabeth Fegan, a founding partner of FeganScott, the law firm representing Jane Doe, said, “We aim to prove that WOM was aware of Allen’s past inappropriate conduct with women but failed to protect our client as she began her first professional job after graduating from college.” Fegan added, “The executives at WOM assured our client of mentorship and assistance in a new position, but instead she was left vulnerable to Allen’s predatory behavior.”
Fegan, the founding partner of FeganScott representing Jane Doe, criticized Wide Open Music (WOM) and its founder, Ash Bowers, stating that the company was aware of Allen’s past behavior and still assigned Jane Doe to manage him, offering her up to him for his predation. Fegan called the company’s actions “reprehensible” and accused them of doing nothing to prevent Allen from targeting and grooming Jane Doe. Wide Open Music and Bowers have not yet responded to The Times’ request for comment.
After failing to advance to the live rounds during the 10th season of “American Idol” in 2011, Allen has steadily risen in the country music scene over the past decade. His hard work paid off in 2021 when he became the second Black artist to win the CMA award for new artist of the year. Recently, Allen and his wife Alexis Gale shared on social media that they were ending their three-year marriage, while also announcing that Gale was expecting their third child.
Source: Los Angeles Times
