Country singer Jimmie Allen has been suspended from his label and booted from next month’s Country Music Awards after his former manager accused him of rape, the New York Post reported.
“In light of [the] allegations against Jimmie Allen, BBR Music Group has decided to suspend all activity with him, effective immediately,” read a statement.
Allen’s former day-to-day manager, only identified as “Jane Doe,” filed a federal suit Thursday in Tennessee accusing the 37-year-old star of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, sex trafficking, and emotional distress.
She says he raped her and “subjected her to sexual abuse and harassment over 18 months while she was employed by his management company,” the Post’s report stated. Allen claims their relationship was consensual.
In a statement to Page Six, Allen said that it is “deeply troubling and hurtful that someone I counted as one of my closest friends, colleagues, and confidants would make allegations that have no truth to them whatsoever.”
“I acknowledge that we had a sexual relationship — one that lasted for nearly two years,” he continued. “During that time she never once accused me of any wrongdoing, and she spoke of our relationship and friendship as being something she wanted to continue indefinitely. Only after things ended between us, did she hire a lawyer to reach out and ask for money, which leads me to question her motives.”
Speaking to Variety, the woman and her legal team claims Allen threatened her.
“The only ask we made of Allen and his legal counsel was to meet to discuss Allen’s behavior and resolution of our client’s claims. At no time did our client make a monetary demand,” said Elizabeth Fegan, founding partner of the firm representing the woman. “The response was a hard no, and colored with threats that his team would take steps to publicly tarnish my client. My client had no choice but to be proactive in protecting herself by filing the complaint.”
“Having been aware of Allen’s past behavior, it’s reprehensible that the company picked her out and threw her to the wolves like they did, knowing how things would turn out,” Fegan said. “Allen identified her as his target and groomed her, and the company did absolutely nothing to prevent it.”
Read more at the New York Post.
