Country singer Jimmie Allen has been suspended by his music label and removed from next month’s CMA Fest lineup after his former manager filed a lawsuit claiming he raped and sexually abused her.
“In light of [the] allegations against Jimmie Allen, BBR Music Group has decided to suspend all activity with him, effective immediately,” read a statement issued Thursday to media outlets.
Allen’s former day-to-day manager filed the federal suit as “Jane Doe” Thursday in Tennessee. She is accusing Allen, 37, of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, sex trafficking and emotional distress.
She alleges the “Make Me Want To” musician raped her and subjected her to sexual abuse and harassment over 18 months while she was employed by his management company.
Allen claims they had a consensual sexual relationship.
“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,” he said in a statement to Page Six.
“I acknowledge that we had a sexual relationship — one that lasted for nearly two years.”
The statement continued: “During that time she 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.”
The “Best Shot” singer concluded, “The simple fact is, her accusations are not only false but also extremely damaging. I’ve worked incredibly hard to build my career, and I intend to mount a vigorous defense to her claims and take all other legal action necessary to protect my reputation.”
An attorney for Allen’s accuser denied the accusations are a money grab, claiming Allen and his team have threatened the woman.
“The only ask we made of Allen and his legal counsel was to meet to discuss Allen’s behavior and resolution of our client’s claims. At no time did our client make a monetary demand,” Elizabeth Fegan, founding partner of FeganScott, the firm representing the woman, told Variety.
“The response was a hard no, and colored with threats that his team would take steps to publicly tarnish my client. My client had no choice but to be proactive in protecting herself by filing the complaint.”
Besides Allen, the woman is also suing her former employer, Wide Open Music, and singer-songwriter Ash Bowers, its founder, claiming she was fired after sharing the allegations with them.
“Having been aware of Allen’s past behavior, it’s reprehensible that the company picked her out and threw her to the wolves like they did, knowing how things would turn out,” Fegan said.
“Allen identified her as his target and groomed her, and the company did absolutely nothing to prevent it.”
Bowers has denied the allegations, claiming to Variety that he did not fire the woman as retaliation.
“[Jane Doe] was the day-to-day manager for Mr. Allen,” Bowers said. “Once Wide Open Music no longer managed Mr. Allen, that role was gone and, furthermore, [the company] has transitioned out of artist management completely.”
The lawsuit comes weeks after Allen announced he and his wife of nearly three years, Alexis Gale, had separated.
“After much thought and reflection in recent months, Lex & I have made the decision to separate,” Allen wrote on Instagram, while also revealing Gale is pregnant with the couple’s third child together.
“As we navigate this life change, we can also share that we will be welcoming another child together later this year.”
The singer noted the couple’s “number one priority is and always will be ensuring that [their] children are healthy, happy, and loved.”
The couple filed for divorce last month, according to “Entertainment Tonight.”
Allen is also dad to a son, Aadyn, 8, from a previous relationship.
He will no longer perform at CMA Fest 2023, set for June 8-11 in Nashville, Tennessee.
“We have removed Jimmie Allen from our performer lineup,” a festival rep told the Hollywood Reporter this week.
Allen, whose hits include “Freedom Was a Highway” and “Drunk & I Miss You,” was named new artist of the year at the 2021 Country Music Association Awards.
The Post reached out to Allen and his label for comment.
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