A US judge has denied country music star Garth Brooks' request to dismiss a sexual assault and battery lawsuit against him.
In October, a former employee claimed Brooks had raped her in a hotel room in 2019, and subjected her to unwanted sexual conduct, including exposing himself on several occasions and "groping her breasts".
The woman claimed the trauma from the alleged sexual assault became "so unbearable" that she contemplated taking her own life.
Requesting a dismissal of the case, Brooks argued that the lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court was a "duplicative" of a defamation lawsuit he filed against his accuser in Mississippi in September.
However, US District Judge Michael Fitzgerald has denied his motion to dismiss the case.
The judge temporarily paused 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."
Two-time Grammy winner Brooks previously described the Californian lawsuit as an attempt at extortion for "millions of dollars".
"Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behaviour I am incapable of – ugly acts no human should ever do to another," he said.
In the lawsuit, the woman claims she was forced to keep working for Brooks because of financial hardship, which he knew about and allegedly exploited.
"I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be," Brooks previously said.
Representatives for Brooks have been contacted for comment.
If you have been affected by issues raised in this story, please visit: www.rte.ie/helplines.
Source: Press Association
.svg)