Bob Dylan Sued for Allegedly Sexually Abusing Minor in 1965, Says “Claim Is Untrue”

    Bob Dylan has been sued by a woman who claims that the musician sexually abused her in 1965 when she was 12 years old, according to court documents viewed by Page Six and TMZ. The lawsuit was filed in New York State Supreme Court last Friday by a 68-year-old woman identified as J.C. who lives in Greenwich, Connecticut. The plaintiff alleges that the abuse occurred in Dylan’s room at the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan, which was why the lawsuit was filed in New York.

    According to the lawsuit, J.C. claims that “Bob Dylan, over a six-week period between April and May of 1965 befriended and established an emotional connection with the plaintiff,” thereby “lower[ing] [J.C.’s] inhibitions with the object of sexually abusing her, which he did, coupled with the provision of drugs, alcohol and threats of physical violence, leaving her emotionally scarred and psychologically damaged to this day.”

    Daniel W. Isaacs, an attorney for the plaintiff, told Page Six that “the complaint speaks for itself,” adding: “She provided a lot of detailed information regarding the time in question that leaves no doubt that she was with him in the apartment during the time in question.”

    The lawsuit was filed late on August 13, shortly before the expiration of the state’s Child Victims Act, which allowed victims of childhood abuse to sue their attackers regardless of year. In addition to sexual abuse, the lawsuit accuses also Dylan of assault, battery, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. J.C. is seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial.

    A spokesperson for Bob Dylan said in a statement: “This 56-year-old claim is untrue and will be vigorously defended.”

    Reach Out for Help

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    Konstantinos Pappis
    Konstantinos Pappis
    Konstantinos Pappis is a writer, journalist, and music editor at Our Culture. His work has also appeared in Pitchfork, GIGsoup, and other publications. He currently lives in Athens, Greece.

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