Today, on April 5th, a group of attorneys based in Philadelphia filed a lawsuit against Bassnectar and his management. The charges? Human trafficking and sexual abuse.
The lawsuit has been filed amidst multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse. Brian Kent, Stewart Ryan, and Alexandria MacMaster of Laffey, Bucci & Kent, LLP and Nashville attorney Phillip Miller of Miller Law Offices filed the suit against Lorin Ashton (Bassnectar), and Amorphous Music, Inc., Bassnectar Touring, Inc., Redlight Management, Inc., C3 Presents, L.L.C, and Interactive Giving Fund. It was on behalf of two female plaintiffs, who stated that they were “sexually abused as minors.” They cited accusations of “grooming, abuse, and trafficking” that were documented in the @evidenceagainstbassnectar Instagram account. It alleges that not only Bassnectar, but his management company engaged in human trafficking ventures. In addition to this, Bassnectar faces allegations of “manufacturing and possessing child pornography.”
Last year in June, as the allegations were being brought to light, Bassnectar responded by saying,
The rumors of sexual misconduct that are circulating about me are completely untrue. I want to leave it at that, because it truly is that simple. I have never been involved in anything that was not absolutely, unequivocally consensual. During a time when high profile men are being called out for their violence against women, I am proud to be an ally of women and stand in solidarity with victims. Thank you to all those who are listening to real victims of abuse and standing to support women.
He then formally announced an indefinite hiatus from music.
The #MeToo movement across the country has led to women recently making their voices heard about the abuse, harassment, and worse that they face presently or have faced in the past. The EDM community has seen a rising tide of sexual misconduct allegations against well-known DJs. Many times it was a rumor mill already known within the community, but now they are becoming hard truths that are being brought to light.
Of the lawsuit, attorney Brian Kent stated,
We have seen a true reckoning in recent years of powerful individuals and institutions finally being held to account for years of sexual abuse against adults and minors. But we have only begun to scratch the surface of how these influential figures and entities can go on for years committing abuses without being held responsible. This lawsuit is about seeking justice not just against Bassnectar but against the corporations that cooperate in and help facilitate the abuses he is alleged to have committed.
Whether awful incidents such as these happened yesterday or years ago, accountability and justice are never too late to demand.
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