Former Anti-Flag vocalist Justin Sane (actual identify Justin Geever) has been ordered to pay $1.9 million in damages to his accuser, Kristina Sarhadi, after failing to answer her civil sexual assault and battery lawsuit in court docket. The decision was delivered on Tuesday, July 22, and follows a prolonged and disturbing authorized saga that started with a web-based allegation in 2023 relating to an alleged 2010 rape.
Sane‘s failure to interact with the lawsuit resulted in a default judgment, with the court docket discovering him liable by advantage of his non-response. In line with Billboard, the $1.9 million award contains $750,000 for ache and struggling and $420,800 for therapy-related prices related to Sarhadi‘s post-traumatic stress dysfunction, melancholy, and anxiousness stemming from the alleged assault.
Sarhadi initially went public in July 2023, sparking the fast dissolution of Anti-Flag – a band that had lengthy positioned itself as outspokenly progressive and pro-feminist throughout the punk scene. Inside every week of the allegations surfacing, the band issued an announcement saying they have been parting methods with Sane. Later that yr, Rolling Stone printed an exposé through which 13 ladies got here ahead with related and harrowing allegations in opposition to the singer.
Sarhadi filed a civil lawsuit in November 2023, however serving Sane with the go well with grew to become more and more tough, with stories suggesting he had fled the USA to keep away from authorized penalties. She additionally filed go well with in opposition to the band itself for negligence, although these claims have been later dismissed.
The court docket’s ruling on July 22 marks a big milestone in a case that has shaken the punk and activist music scenes. As soon as heralded for his or her political messaging and advocacy, Anti-Flag‘s legacy has been deeply tarnished by the allegations and revelations surrounding their former frontman.
Whereas Sane has not responded publicly to the court docket’s choice, nor to the civil grievance itself, the default judgment holds him financially accountable for the impression of his alleged actions. Sarhadi‘s authorized workforce has not but issued a proper assertion following the ruling, however the judgment represents a second of recognition and validation for her and others who’ve come ahead.
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