Country music star Jimmie Allen sued for alleged sexual assault by former manager
Country music star Jimmie Allen has been accused of assault and sexual abuse by his former manager, according to a new lawsuit.
The management company, Wide Open Music, as well as the company's founder, Ash Bowers, were also named in the lawsuit, filed anonymously under "Jane Doe" in Tennessee and obtained by ABC News on Thursday.
The lawsuit against Allen, WOM and Bowers includes 10 counts related to sexual abuse, alleging several instances where Allen forced himself on her, sexually abused her and manipulated her over 18 months.
The lawsuit claims that in May 2020 Allen "sexually harassed Plaintiff openly and publicly by making comments about her status as a single female, her innocence, and how hot she looked. He did so from the stage, in front of the production crew and public audiences."
But it was in March 2021 when Allen's former manager alleges things took a turn. According to the lawsuit, she claims that she "lost conscious" after having a "couple" of drinks at an event, waking up with Allen next to her in bed and him "insisting she take [emergency contraceptive] Plan B as soon as possible." She allegedly did, and claims that on her way out "Allen grabbed her and forcibly kissed her goodbye, whispering, 'You're mine now.'"
"Jane Doe" alleges in the document that Allen "sexually abused her at red lights, in green rooms, on airplanes, and in other places she was required to be to support him at events."
"Jane Doe" also claimed she brought her concerns to WOM and Bowers but they failed to protect her against Allen and ultimately fired her after she came to them in October 2022, according to the filing.
In a statement, attorneys for Allen told ABC News that Allen, who acknowledges the two had a sexual relationship, denies all claims of assault or abuse -- calling them "false" and "extremely damaging" -- and said he plans to "mount a vigorous defense" to the allegations.
"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," Allen said in part of a statement.
He added, "[S]he 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."
ABC News reached out to WOM and Bowers about the lawsuit but has yet to receive a response.
Broken Bow Records, Allen's current record label, shared a statement with ABC News, saying it has "decided to suspend all activity with [Allen], effective immediately."
Allen was also set to be the commencement speaker at Delaware State University on May 12, but he informed the university on Thursday he would be unable to participate in the ceremony.
The lawsuit comes after Allen and his wife Alexis Allen announced their separation in April. Allen, who has a son from a previous relationship, shares two daughters with Alexis Allen and the two are expecting their third child together later this year.
