Garth Brooks breaks silence denying rape accusations labelling lawsuit a "hush money" shakedown

Country singer superstar Garth Brooks has denied rape accusations lodged against him, labelling the lawsuit a "hush money" shakedown

Country singer superstar Garth Brooks has denied rape accusations lodged against him, labelling the lawsuit a "hush money" shakedown.

The 62-year-old multi-millionaire has been accused of sexual assault and battery in a civil complaint filed in California on Thursday by a makeup artist who worked for his wife, Trisha Yearwood. The alleged victim, identified only as "Jane Roe", claims she was first hired to do hair and makeup for his spouse in 1999. She said she began working for Brooks directly in 2017.

The complaint contains the allegation the singer raped the woman in a hotel suite during a work trip. She claimed that in May 2019, she travelled with Brooks to Los Angeles on his private jet.

"Usually there were others on Brooks' private jet, but this time, Ms Roe and Brooks were the only two passengers," the complaint states. "Once in Los Angeles at the hotel, Ms Roe could not believe that Brooks had booked a hotel suite with one bedroom and she did not have a separate room."

Doe alleges that Brooks raped her and that on subsequent occasions, he physically groped her and made "repeated remarks" about "having a threesome" with his wife. "Brooks' rape of Ms Roe was painful and traumatic. Having no regard for her wellbeing and intent on his own sexual gratification at the expense of Ms Roe's physical, mental and emotional trauma, at some point during the nightmare, Brooks even held her small body upside down [and attacked]" the lawsuit reads.

It adds: "Disgustingly, Brooks insisted that Ms Roe wear her eyeglasses while he carried out his sexual assault fantasy." Hours later, the singer responded to the accusations. He said: "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.

"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 added. Brooks previously denied the claims in his own legal complaint while using the name 'John Doe'.

"We filed suit against this person nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides," he added. Brooks described the situation as "like having a loaded gun waved in my face".

He added: "I want to play music tonight. I want to continue our good deeds going forward. It breaks my heart these wonderful things are in question now. I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be."