Diddy and Garth Brooks’ lawsuits rock music industry after escaping #MeToo moment

The allegations made against Garth Brooks last week were just the latest in a series of major allegations to roil the music industry following the arrest of Sean “Diddy” Combs on sex crimes charges.

With dozens of lawsuits filed against Diddy over the last year and more than 100 victims reportedly expected to file additional lawsuits, the echoes of the #MeToo movement appear to resonate widely in an industry that was virtually bypassed in 2017.

A #MeToo reckoning may be looming in the music industry, but San Diego criminal defense attorney David P. Shapiro said the accountability charge had already been made before Diddy’s recent troubles in federal criminal court.

‘DIDDY’ ACCUSER’S LAWYER HAS ‘NO DOUBT’ CELEBRITY FRIENDS ARE SCROLLING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE CHARGE

“A recent example from a few years ago was the cases of another well-known music mogul, R. Kelly, who is currently in prison,” Shapiro told Fox News Digital. The R&B artist was convicted of federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges related to the sexual abuse of minors and is currently serving a 31-year sentence in a medium-security prison in North Carolina.

“For far too long, victims of sexual assault have been exploited and left without a voice. They feared that no one would believe them and that society would always be on the side of their powerful abuser,” Shapiro said. “While the #MeToo movement has provided valuable support to the real victims of sexual abuse and exploitation by powerful men, it has also confirmed concerns about overcorrection and automatic belief in the words of a sexual assault complainant, even sometimes in face Logic and facts.

R. Kelly is serving 31 years in prison on RICO and sex trafficking charges. (Associated Press)

“Such an approach is in direct contradiction to our system’s standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal courts.”

“For far too long, victims of sexual assault have been exploited and left without a voice. They feared that no one would believe them and that society would always side with their powerful abuser.”

— David P. Shapiro, criminal defense attorney

The Diddy sex trafficking probe puts Justin Bieber’s relationship under the microscope as fans search for clues

Diddy was arrested charged with conspiracy to commit extortion on September 16 and the following day; sex trafficking involving force, fraud, or coercion; and transportation for prostitution. The rapper pleaded not guilty hours after an indictment detailing his alleged sex crimes was unsealed.

Sean “Diddy” Combs was charged with racketeering and sex trafficking in New York on September 16th. (Shayan Asgharnia)

Authorities claimed Diddy was running one criminal enterprise through his companies, including Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises and Combs Global, among others. He used “guns, threats of violence, coercion and verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse” to fulfill his sexual desires, according to the unsealed indictment obtained by Fox News Digital.

WATCH ON FOX NATION: WHAT DID DIDDY DO?

Diddy and his associates would “intimidate, threaten and lure female victims into Combs’ orbit, often under the guise of a romantic relationship. Combs then allegedly used violence, threats of violence and coercion to induce the victims to engage in extensive sexual acts with men. These were commercial sex workers whom Combs referred to, among other things, as “freak offs.” Diddy groomed his victims according to “Freak Offs,” often using intravenous fluids to recover from physical exertion and drug use, the indictment says.

The “Last Night” singer maintains his innocence: “He will fight this with all his energy and all his strength and with the full trust of his lawyers. And I expect a long fight with a good outcome for Mr. Combs,” his attorney Marc Agnifilo said Sept. 17 outside the courthouse.

Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, argued for Diddy’s release on bail after he was arrested on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. (Elizabeth Williams via AP)

Shapiro noted, “While there have always been, and unfortunately always will be, such allegations against all famous and influential musicians, Diddy’s case is already on track to surpass them all from a public relations standpoint, at least since the allegations against Michael Jackson.” in the early 2000s.

“The fact that Diddy’s case is being heard in federal court should prevent any recording of the actual trial should the case get that far.”

TMZ PRESENTS: THE DOWNFALL OF DIDDY

Garth Brooks was accused of raping his former makeup artist “Jane Roe” during a work trip in 2019, according to court documents filed last week and obtained by Fox News Digital. She also accused Brooks of openly discussing sex in front of her, exposing his genitals, sharing sexual fantasies with her, writing explicit messages to her and physically groping her breasts.

The “Friends in Low Places” singer filed a countersuit allegedly attempting to block her lawsuit and denied the claims.

A former makeup artist filed a lawsuit against Garth Brooks last week, accusing the country star of rape. (Jesse Grant)

“Over the past two months, I have been harassed endlessly with threats, lies and tragic stories about what my future would be if I did not write a multi-million dollar check,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “It was like a loaded gun was being waved in my face.”

Do you like what you’re reading? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

When discussing possible changes in the music industry to protect victims, Shapiro noted the importance of victims speaking out against alleged accusers.

“The hope is that, regardless of the outcome of the case, the end result of these allegations will change the music industry for the better, similar to the changes that came to the film industry after Harvey Weinstein was outed,” he said. “But time and a 12-person jury will likely have the final say.”

Brooks denied the allegations and claimed the woman tried to blackmail him for money. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Brand expert Doug Eldridge told Fox News Digital that only time will tell if #MeToo is truly happening in the music industry, and the answer could go either way.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

“On the one hand, it’s too early to say. On the other hand, the more we learn, the less this comparison seems like an apples-to-apples comparison,” he said. “Weinstein and other Hollywood elites were finally exposed for the ‘casting couch’ environment that was pervasive in Hollywood for decades (but never addressed). In contrast, the scope and scope of the allegations against Diddy paint a broader, perhaps darker picture: sex trafficking, drug abuse among party attendees, etc.

“Weinstein and other Hollywood elites were finally exposed for the ‘casting couch’ environment that was pervasive in Hollywood for decades (but never addressed). In contrast, the scope and scope of the allegations against Diddy paint a broader, perhaps darker picture: sex trafficking, drugging party attendees, etc.

— Doug Eldridge, brand expert

“However, it is important to remember that at this stage of the legal process these are purely allegations – with the case still several months, if not a year, away from actual trial – but are on the approaching horizon it looks like a completely different ship.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP