'Despicable': Former megachurch pastor Robert Morris indicted on child sexual battery charges



A grand jury in Oklahoma indicted Robert Morris, founding pastor of the popular Texas-based Gateway Church, on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. The Wednesday indictment concerns alleged sexual abuse that dates back to the 1980s.

Cindy Clemishire, the victim by Morris' own admission, expressed relief that after four decades, the former pastor might finally have to answer for his alleged crimes.

"There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children," Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement. "This case is all the more despicable because the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position. The victim in this case has waited far too many years for justice to be done."

Prior to his resignation in June as senior pastor, Morris admitted in a statement to the Christian Post, "When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying. It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong. This behavior happened on several occasions over the next few years."

Clemishire suggested that by "young lady," the former pastor actually meant a 12-year-old girl.

"He says there was no sexual intercourse, but he did touch every part of my body and inserted his fingers into me, which I understand now is considered a form of rape by instrumentation," said Clemishire. "I was an innocent 12-year-old little girl who knew nothing about sexual behavior."

"I was 12 years old. I was a little girl. A very innocent little girl," added Clemishire, now in her 50s.

Clemishire first publicly accused Morris in June, telling the Wartburg Watch, a watchdog blog that details incidents of abuse within various churches, about how Morris morphed from family friend to villain.

'The law has finally caught up with Robert Morris.'

Clemishire indicated that she and her family first met Morris in 1981 at a youth revival in Tulsa. Morris was subsequently invited to participate in a youth revival in Clemishire's hometown of Hominy, Oklahoma, then began regularly preaching in town. He soon befriended Clemishire's family, staying with them on occasion.

While visiting with the family on Dec. 25, 1982, Morris allegedly told Clemishire to go to his room and then molested her. According to Clemishire, Morris repeated this behavior until 1987.

When the girl's father found out about the abuse, he reportedly informed the head pastor of Shady Grove Church, where Morris was then a pastor, and threatened to involve law enforcement unless the alleged pedophile abandoned the ministry.

Morris told the Christian Post, "In March of 1987, this situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented of. I submitted myself to the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady’s father. They asked me to step out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area."

Morris apparently stepped down for two years — a resume gap Morris attributed to an excess in pride in his 2011 book "From Dream to Destiny."

The former pastor suggested further that when he rejoined the ministry in March 1989, he had the blessing of the victim's father and church elders.

When Clemishire went public with her story, the Gateway Church's board of elders downplayed their founder's alleged pedophilia and characterized Morris as a purified man, stating, "Since the resolution of this 35-year-old matter, there have been no other moral failures. Pastor Robert has walked in purity, and he has placed accountability measures and people in his life."

The church's board of elders changed its tune amid growing backlash, announcing on June 18 that it had accepted Morris' resignation and retained a law firm to "conduct an independent, thorough, and professional review of the report of past abuse to ensure we have a complete understanding of the events from 1982-1987."

The five instances where Morris allegedly molested Clemishire identified in the criminal indictment all took place between Dec. 25, 1982, and Jan. 24, 1985.

Clemishire's attorney suggested last year that the statute of limitations for criminal or civil action had likely run out. However, Drummond's office indicated that the "statute of limitations is not applicable in this case because Morris was not a resident or inhabitant of Oklahoma at any time."

Each of the sexual battery counts with which Morris has been charged are punishable by three to 20 years in prison.

Clemishire said in a Wednesday statement obtained by the New York Times, "After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me."

"My family and I are deeply grateful to the authorities who have worked tirelessly to make this day possible and remain hopeful that justice will ultimately prevail," added Clemishire.

Gateway Church said in a statement Wednesday, "We are aware of the actions being taken by the legal authorities in Oklahoma and are grateful for the work of the justice system in holding abusers accountable for their actions."

"We continue to pray for Cindy Clemishire and her family, for the members and staff of Gateway Church, and for all of those impacted by this terrible situation," added the church.

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Colorado School Administrator Fired Amid Child Pornography Allegations Found Dead

David Weiss, the fired Colorado school administrator at the center of a criminal investigation kept secret by authorities, was found dead, and the county sheriff’s office finally clarified that he was under investigation for allegedly possessing child pornography materials. Weiss, the former chief of staff of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), was reported dead by […]

'House of horrors': Male couple convicted of sexually abusing their adopted boys will spend the rest of their lives in prison



A Georgia couple have been convicted of sexually abusing their two adopted boys and will spend the rest of their lives in prison.

In August, 34-year-old William Zulock pleaded guilty to six counts of aggravated sodomy, three counts of aggravated child molestation, two counts of incest, and two counts of sexual exploitation of children.

'These two defendants truly created a house of horrors and put their extremely dark desires above everything and everyone else.'

In October, 36-year-old Zachary Zulock pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated sodomy, three counts of aggravated child molestation, two counts of incest, two counts of sodomy, three counts of sexual exploitation of children, and two counts of pandering to a person under 18.

Last week, Judge Jeffrey L. Foster sentenced both males to serve 100 years in prison followed by life on probation. Because of the severity of their crimes, neither of them will be eligible for parole for the entire 100-year sentence.

Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorney Randy McGinley said in a statement, “I am grateful for the hard work of so many to obtain an appropriate outcome in this case. The hard work of law enforcement put an end to the abuse suffered by the victims, and this resolution will help the victims continue their process of healing. William and Zachary Zulock will now spend 100 years in prison without parole. This all but guarantees that the victims will not have to worry as they grow older about their abusers being free."

McGinley added, "It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for our society to have individuals willing to adopt children in need. But anyone who does so and then abuses those children deserves extremely harsh consequences and decades in prison. The sentence imposed not only appropriately punishes these defendants for their repeated selfish actions but also sends the message to the public that such actions will never be taken lightly."

The district attorney said the fathers of the adopted children "created a house of horrors."

"These two defendants truly created a house of horrors and put their extremely dark desires above everything and everyone else," McGinley proclaimed. "However, the depth of the defendants’ depravity, which is as deep as it gets, is not greater than the resolve of those that fought for justice and the strength of the victims in this case. The resolve I have seen from these two young victims over the last two years is truly inspiring."

Townhall reported that the house had a "secret," windowless room the size of a closet hidden behind a movable bookcase in the home office. A relative reportedly said the house felt like something out of "a horror movie."

As Blaze News reported in August 2022, authorities in Georgia received a "cyber tip" that a man was downloading child sexual abuse material. On July 27, 2022, detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division of the Walton County Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant and raided a home in Loganville — a town about 35 miles northeast of Atlanta.

"During the subsequent interview with the suspect, it was discovered that he was, in fact, receiving/collecting [child sexual abuse material] and that a secondary suspect lived in Walton County," the Walton County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "Detectives were told that this secondary suspect was producing homemade child sexual abuse material with at least one child who lived in the home with the perpetrator."

The suspect — Hunter Lawless — allegedly informed authorities that he had received the illicit photos and videos from Zachary Zulock. Lawless allegedly agreed to fully cooperate in any prosecution of the Zulocks and later pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children and was sentenced to 20 years.

The next day, investigators conducted a search on a second home in nearby Oxford, which is the residence of William and Zachary Zulock. During the search of the home, police officers determined that the two adult males who lived at the residence were "engaging in sexually abusive acts and video documenting this abuse," according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.

The Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office said, "A thorough analysis found videos of multiple incidents of the defendants committing sexual abuse in different parts of the house. Cell phones were analyzed which contained graphic images and videos of the abuse as well as graphic text and social media messages about the sexual abuse."

The New York Post reported that Zachary bragged about the sexual abuse, writing in a Snapchat message to Lawless: "I'm going to f*** my son tonight. Stand by." He allegedly then sent photos of the boy being sexually abused.

As Blaze News previously reported, the 17-page indictment said the couple "allegedly performed oral sex on both boys, forced the children to perform oral sex on them, and anally raped their sons."

The two males were arrested in August 2022 and accused of using their two adopted children to make child pornography. At the time of the arrest, the young victims reportedly were in third and fourth grade.

Investigators said the Zulocks had adopted two young boys a few years before their arrest.

Authorities said the victims are "now safe" after the Walton County Division of Family & Children Services took the young boys into care.

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Teacher who's wife of town police chief, daughter of mayor learns fate after conviction for sexually abusing 15-year-old boy



A former Oklahoma substitute teacher was found guilty Wednesday of sexually abusing a 15-year-old student. Emma Delaney Hancock, 28, also is the wife of Wellston's police chief and the daughter of Wellston's mayor, according to reports.

Hancock was found guilty of two counts of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology. Hancock was sentenced to four years behind bars, according to KFOR-TV.

'Are you trying to get me to lose my job?'

As Blaze News reported last year, Hancock was a substitute teacher at Wellston High School. However, she was arrested in April 2023 for allegedly having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.

Investigators said the former substitute teacher began communicating with the student in October 2022. Hancock purportedly received the student's phone number through a school assignment.

"It started evolving into a more personal type of text message and they became sexual in nature," stated interim Public Information Officer for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations Gerald Davidson.

According to KWTV-DT, "After a few weeks, the teen allegedly sent a shirtless photo of himself to Hancock through Snapchat."

According to court documents, Hancock responded to the teen, "Are we sending half-naked pictures now?"

The boy reportedly responded, "I don't know, are we?"

She allegedly replied, "Are you trying to get me to lose my job?"

Court documents said Hancock and the minor exchanged nude photos and videos of sex acts. The affidavit reportedly noted that the teen told authorities that they met privately at school to "make out."

The teacher is accused of open-mouth kissing the underage student in a high school classroom closet on two occasions. Hancock inappropriately touched the boy the second time they kissed, according to the affidavit.

Authorities reportedly obtained a search warrant for Hancock’s Snapchat account and found illicit videos of the classroom incidents.

Wellston Public Schools Superintendent Mike Franz said in April, “As soon as we became aware of the allegations she was removed and not allowed back on campus. We cooperated with OSBI and other agencies closely through the investigation.“

KFOR-TV reported in October: "Hancock is the wife of Wellston Police Chief Alfred Hancock and the daughter of Wellston Mayor Paul Whitnah, who both testified for her."

Hancock reportedly has two children with her police chief husband.

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College football player raped girl on family cruise, feds say — and allegedly asked her appalling 2-word question afterward



A college football player with a reported history of sexual assault was convicted of raping a teen girl while she was on a family cruise vacation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland said in a statement that James Thomas Kelley, 22, was found guilty of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, and assault in connection to a rape of a 17-year-old girl on a Carnival Cruise ship in 2023. Kelley faces a maximum sentence of life in prison in the federal case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.

'Kelley saw that [she] was intoxicated [by his own admission], realized she was vulnerable, and offered to take her to the bathroom.'

Federal prosecutors said Kelley raped the then-underage girl between Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, 2023.

Kelley met the teen girl after a party on the Carnival Legend cruise ship on the night of Jan. 1. Kelley took her to his cabin because she needed to use a restroom, according to court documents.

Citing court filings, The State reported that after the victim stepped outside the bathroom, Kelley pushed her on the bed "face first," and raped her.

After sexually assaulting the teen girl, Kelley allegedly asked the victim an appalling question.

Court documents stated: "After raping [her], Kelley asked, ‘You good?'"

The Carnival cruise ship returned to port in Baltimore on Jan. 2.

The victim and her family left the cruise ship and returned home to Virginia. Once home, the teen girl reported the rape to local police. She reportedly was examined at a Virginia hospital, where it was determined that she had bruises on her right arm and shins, as well as "vaginal abrasions, tearing and bruising," according to court docs.

In April 2023, FBI agents interrogated Kelley regarding the alleged sexual assault. At the time of the interview, Kelley was a redshirt junior running back for the Wingate University football team.

Kelley purportedly told investigators that he and the underage girl had kissed and touched each other outside of his room before he let her use the bathroom. Kelley allegedly said that he believed the teen was under the influence of alcohol.

"Kelley saw that [she] was intoxicated [by his own admission], realized she was vulnerable, and offered to take her to the bathroom,” prosecutors wrote in court documents. Kelley “took full advantage of the situation,” prosecutors stated.

FBI agents arrested Kelley at Wingate University on Sept. 20, 2023, according to the Wingate Triangle — the university’s student newspaper.

After news was released about the allegations of sexual assault on the cruise ship, a Wingate University student came forward to report him for raping her.

As of November 2023, there was an outstanding arrest warrant for Kelley for second-degree forcible rape out of Union County, North Carolina, according to The State.

Kelley also was convicted as a minor in a 2019 sexual assault case, prosecutors said.

During his two-week trial for the rape on the Carnival cruise ship, jurors heard testimony from six people accusing Kelley of other sexual assaults on separate incidents.

“Kelley has an alarming history of allegations of sexual assault from males and females spanning from early 2017 through September 2023,” prosecutors wrote in court documents according to the New York Post.

Carnival Cruise Lines didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from The State.

"We will never stop working to serve justice for the victims of predators like Mr. Kelley, no matter where the crime occurs,” said Erek L. Barron — U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. "Today’s conviction reflects the unwavering resolve of the FBI to protect our communities and keep Americans safe."

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Mother allegedly told her preteen daughters to hide stepdad's sexual abuse — or they'd be 'financially screwed'



A Utah mother is accused of instructing her young daughters to cover up their stepfather's alleged sexual assaults against them.

Randi Heather Norris was arrested around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, according to Utah County Jail records. Norris, 39, faces charges of tampering with a witness, child abuse with injury — intentional or knowing, and obstruction of justice.

'Sexually abusing three of her daughters, all of which were age 13 or younger at the time of the abuse.'

The Springville Police Department said they received a report from the Division of Child and Family Services of reported child sexual abuse.

KTVX-TV reported that law enforcement interviewed the alleged victim, who reported several incidents of child sexual abuse by her stepfather – 39-year-old Jason Wong. She allegedly told police she informed her mother — Norris — about the sexual abuse.

“The victim stated that [Norris’] response was that it was up to the victim to decide if she wanted to report it, but that if she did they would be ‘financially screwed.’ The victim also disclosed overhearing Randi and Jason tell her younger sibling to lie to the police about the sexual abuse that was happening to her for the same reason,” the affidavit of probable cause read.

Investigators reportedly interviewed Norris, who told police that she knew Wong was “sexually abusing three of her daughters, all of which were age 13 or younger at the time of the abuse.”

In April, Norris' 11-year-old daughter reported a separate incident of sexual abuse by Wong, and while she gave some details, she later said none of the allegations happened.

“Investigators learned the victim did this after being instructed to do so by Randi and Jason,” the probable cause statement stated.

Norris and Wong allegedly began a romantic relationship in November 2014.

The Daily Mail reported that the couple are both employed at Smith's Food and Drug Stores in Springville. Norris reportedly is a cashier, and Wong is a dairy manager.

The Daily Mail said Springville police did not provide a comment to the outlet.

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Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO involved in 'violent' international sex trafficking operation using male models: Feds



A former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO was arrested Tuesday for his alleged participation in an international sex trafficking operation using male models, according to federal prosecutors.

Mike Jeffries, 80, along with his "romantic partner" Matthew Smith and business associate James Jacobson are accused of recruiting the models for the operation. The three defendants were charged with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.

The suspects reportedly hired a 'secret staff' to maintain events where alleged victims would be provided drugs and alcohol to make it easier to coerce them into sexual activity.

Breon Peace — the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York — said at a news conference in Brooklyn, “To anyone who thinks they can exploit and coerce others by using this so-called casting couch system, this case should serve as a warning: prepare to trade that couch for a bed in federal prison.”

Peace said Jeffries, while he was CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch from 1992 to 2014, used “his power, his wealth, and his influence to traffic men for his own sexual pleasure and that of his romantic partner, Smith.”

Brad Edwards — a civil lawyer representing some of the alleged victims — proclaimed: "These arrests are a huge first step towards obtaining justice for the many victims who were exploited and abused through this sex trafficking scheme that operated for many years under the legitimate cover Abercrombie provided."

The indictment claims that Jeffries and Smith used Jacobsen as well as employees, contractors, and security professionals to run an operation "dedicated to fulfilling their sexual desires and ensuring that their international sex trafficking and prostitution business was kept secret."

The former retail executive and Smith relied on their vast financial resources, Jeffries' power as the CEO of Abercrombie, and numerous people, including Jacobson and a network of employees, contractors, and security professionals, to run a business "that was dedicated to fulfilling their sexual desires and ensuring that their international sex trafficking and prostitution business was kept secret," the indictment alleges.

Peace said the models were told they needed to comply with sexual demands or their modeling careers could suffer. According to the feds, Jeffries and Smith would forcefully subject the alleged victims to violent sexual contact.

Peace said the international sex trafficking operation lasted from at least 2008 until 2015 and allegedly required millions of dollars to support its massive infrastructure to maintain secrecy.

Federal prosecutors identified 15 victims of the sex trafficking operation, but Peace said there are "dozens and dozens" of potential victims.

Peace claimed Jeffries and Smith reportedly employed Jacobson as a “recruiter” to find men and pay them to engage in sex acts.

According to the indictment, Jacobson traveled throughout the U.S. and internationally to recruit men for alleged sex events. Prosecutors said Jacobson required the potential candidates to first engage in sex with him to determine if they were worthy to be passed on to Jeffries and Smith.

The alleged sex events reportedly occurred in New York, London, and Venice.

The indictment claimed that many of the alleged victims were coerced and teased with modeling opportunities.

"In exchange for providing the position of power and unfettered access to corporate funds necessary for Jeffries to sexually terrorize aspiring male models, Abercrombie knowingly and intentionally benefited and received things of value from Jeffries and his sex trafficking operation, including the value Jeffries himself brought to the brand," the lawsuit read.

Smith allegedly would personally select men to be flown to the couple’s homes in the Hamptons or to hotels around the world “to engage in commercial sex,” Peace claimed.

The suspects reportedly hired a "secret staff" to maintain events where alleged victims would be provided drugs and alcohol to make it easier to coerce them into sexual activity. The staff purportedly ensured that the alleged victims handed over their phones and signed nondisclosure agreements.

“Prosecutions like this are really impossible without the bravery of victims who are willing to report what happened to them to law enforcement,” Peace declared.

Brian Bieber — an attorney for Jeffries — told USA Today that his legal team would respond to the allegations "after the Indictment is unsealed, and when appropriate, but plan to do so in the courthouse — not the media."

Federal prosecutors stated the investigation began in January after alleged victims filed a civil lawsuit a year prior.

When the accusations first surfaced in 2023, Abercrombie & Fitch said the company was “appalled and disgusted” by the claims and would hire an outside law firm to conduct a review of the allegations.

Jeffries was known for transforming Abercrombie & Fitch into a powerhouse fashion brand. One of the plaintiffs, David Bradberry — former crewman on the reality series "Below Deck" — said Jeffries made Abercrombie successful by the "oversexualization of young men," ABC News reported.

Abercrombie & Fitch declined to provide a comment to ABC News.

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Married mother admits to sexually assaulting teen hockey players 'young enough to be her kids' during family vacation



A married mother from Minnesota has admitted to sexually assaulting two 15-year-old hockey players during a family vacation, according to authorities.

Allison Leigh Schardin, 39, was arrested Feb. 1. Schardin was charged with third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. On Friday, she pleaded guilty to the third-degree count and the fourth count will be dismissed under an agreement.

'You already have a 38‐year‐old woman, a female in your bed, don’t you want to do more?'

As Blaze News previously reported, Schardin allegedly was on a "staycation" with her family earlier this year at a hotel in Roseville — roughly 15 miles from her hometown of Blaine.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by Law & Crime, Schardin approached two teen boys at the hotel hot tub on Jan. 14. She allegedly began a conversation with the minors and complained about her marriage.

The second victim said Schardin was in the pool area when her husband allegedly shouted something like, “If you don’t come upstairs, our relationship is over.”

The wife reportedly disregarded her husband's words and instead asked to exchange "socials" with the victims.

Schardin purportedly contacted the first victim on Snapchat a little later that day and asked, “Can I come into your room?”

The married mom allegedly went to the boys' hotel room. They were in town from Colorado for a hockey tournament.

She told the teens they were "young enough to be her kids,” according to court documents.

Schardin reportedly began talking about "sex and stuff" and then got into bed with the two boys and asked them about their sexual experiences.

The boys said Schardin was “saying things like, ‘let’s just do more,’ ‘let’s have sex,’ ‘we’re already here,’ ‘You already have a 38‐year‐old woman, a female in your bed, don’t you want to do more?'”

In regard to the offer of sex, the first victim recalled thinking “not really” but ultimately said “sure” to Schardin because he didn’t know how to say no to her.

The criminal complaint said the first victim "was kind of uncomfortable."

The New York Post reported, "Schadin then began sexual acts with two of the teens — while a third watched — and asked them to perform sexual acts on her."

The next day, Schardin allegedly sent text messages to the teens while they were playing in a hockey tournament. She reportedly showed up to the boys' game.

“Victim one said they all started getting nervous, and he was shaking on the bench at one point because he wanted to leave what happened the night before in the past, and she was trying to follow them, ‘it was really creepy,'” the complaint reads.

Schardin reportedly continued to send text messages to the teenagers once they returned home to Colorado. She allegedly attempted to convince one of the boys to not tell police “what happened.”

Schardin purportedly texted the first victim, "I will do or say anything you want, just don’t tell the police or report what happened.'” According to the complaint, the boy replied that "he didn’t want anything from her, that he wouldn’t report it, and that she needed to leave him alone."

The teen then blocked Schardin.

Minnesota court records reveal that Scardin's husband, Anthony Schardin, filed for divorce on Dec. 18, 2023, Heavy reported.

Schardin is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 10, 2025.

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Garth Brooks accused of rape by former makeup artist



A former makeup artist for Garth Brooks has accused the country music star of sexual assault and battery in a lawsuit.

The complaint — filed Thursday in a California state court — claims the alleged incidents of sexual abuse occurred in 2019. The makeup artist and hairstylist accused Brooks of raping her during a work trip in Los Angeles, according to CNN.

'We are very confident in our case, and over time the public will see his true character rather than his highly curated persona.'

The alleged victim — identified only as "Jane Roe" in the lawsuit — claimed that the sexual abuse left her "physically" and "emotionally injured."

The lawsuit claims the woman and Brooks traveled to Los Angeles in 2019 for a Grammys tribute to R&B singer Sam Moore. The suit alleges that only one hotel room was booked for both of them to share.

Trapped in the room

"After they arrived, suddenly Brooks appeared in the doorway to the bedroom, completely naked," the complaint read, according to Fox News. "He stood there and flexed his muscles. Ms. Roe immediately had a sick feeling in her stomach, knowing she was trapped in the room alone with Brooks, with no one to help and far away from Nashville."

The lawsuit claims that Brooks then raped her.

In the suit, the woman also accuses Brooks of repeatedly exposing his genitals and buttocks, talking about sex and sharing sexual fantasies with her, regularly changing his clothing in front of her, and sending sexually explicit text messages.

Longtime employee

The alleged victim began handling hair and makeup services for Brooks in 2017, according to the lawsuit. The woman said she was first hired in 1999 to do hair and makeup for Brooks' wife, Trisha Yearwood.

The woman's legal team said in a statement that they "applaud our client's courage in moving forward with her complaints against Garth Brooks."

"The complaint filed today demonstrates that sexual predators exist not only in corporate America, Hollywood, and in the rap and rock and roll industries but also in the world of country music," the statement read. "We encourage others who may have been victimized to contact us, as no survivor should suffer in silence."

'Hassled to no end'

Brooks vehemently denied the scathing allegations.

"For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars," Brooks said in a statement. "It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face."

The award-winning country music singer continued, "Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of — ugly acts no human should ever do to another."

Brooks revealed that his legal team filed a lawsuit against his accuser "nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character."

The "Friends in Low Places" singer said his suit was filed anonymously "for the sake of families on both sides."

Brooks contended that he would "trust the system."

"I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be," Brooks concluded.

Back to work

Hours after the searing accusations were revealed, Brooks performed in Las Vegas.

After he performed at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace — where the 62-year-old country music singer has had a residency since May 2023 — Brooks penned an emotional message on social media.

On Instagram Brooks shared a photo of himself onstage in front of a sold-out crowd during his show with the caption: “If there was ever a night that I really needed this, TONIGHT was that night! Thank you for my life!!!!! Love, g.”

Douglas H. Wigdor — an attorney representing the woman in question — on Friday told CNN, “I cannot get into settlement discussions, but the suggestion made by Brooks that he was unwilling to pay millions is simply not true. We are very confident in our case, and over time the public will see his true character rather than his highly curated persona.”

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Michelle Obama's Get-Out-the-Vote Drive Targets Fans of Infamous Domestic Abusers

Michelle Obama's voter participation organization is spending big on Facebook ads to ensure that fans of several high-profile domestic abusers have the information they need to vote in the upcoming elections.

The post Michelle Obama's Get-Out-the-Vote Drive Targets Fans of Infamous Domestic Abusers appeared first on .