BBR Music Group has suspended country superstar Jimmie Allen after news of a lawsuit accusing the singer of rape and sexual assault dropped.
The Nashville record label issued a statement late Thursday afternoon on May 11 after news of the lawsuit broke. A member of Allen’s day-to-day team has filed the lawsuit, accusing him of rape and sexual assault over the course of about 18 months.
“In light of today’s allegations against Jimmie Allen, BBR Music Group has decided to suspend all activity with him, effective immediately,” the statement reads. The woman has chosen not to identify herself and has filed suit against Allen in Tennessee civil court, claiming a pattern of sexual abuse and intimidation took place while working with the singer. She is also suing Allen’s former manager Ash Bowers and his company, Wide Open Music in relation to the case.
Variety reports that the woman is accusing Allen of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, sex trafficking and emotional distress. She says Wide Open Music contributed to these actions, alleging gross negligence and participation in sex trafficking and more. She says Wide Open Music knew about Allen’s behavior when the company assigned her to work and travel with him.
Allen denied the allegations as laid out in the lawsuit, stating he had a consensual sexual relationship with Jane Doe. Wide Open Music says it stopped working with Allen after the woman shared her story with them and has since transitioned out of artist management together.
“We intend to show that Wide Open Music knew that Allen had a history of questionable behavior around women but did nothing to safeguard our client as she embarked upon her first professional job out of college,” says Elizabeth Fegan, Founding Partner of the law firm representing the Jane Doe. “The executives at WOM promised our client mentorship and guidance in a new role, but instead, she was offered up to Allen for his predation.”
Jimmie Allen was also removed from this year’s CMA Fest lineup, confirmed by a rep from the Country Music Association. Allen was set to play in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on June 11 alongside a lineup including Ashley McBryde, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, and Tim McGraw.