British sports agent Jonathan Barnett is embroiled in a civil lawsuit in the US, where he faces accusations from an unnamed woman who alleges severe abuse and exploitation. Barnett has firmly denied the allegations and intends to defend himself vigorously.
Jonathan Barnett Faces Serious Allegations in US Civil Lawsuit
Jonathan Barnett Faces Serious Allegations in US Civil Lawsuit
The renowned sports agent is accused of horrific acts spanning over six years, including claims of trafficking and abuse.
High-profile British sports agent Jonathan Barnett has been accused of raping a woman more than 39 times in a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles. The plaintiff, known as "Jane Doe," alleges that Barnett "trafficked" her from Australia to the UK in 2017, where he purportedly kept her as a "sex slave" over a six-year ordeal, issuing threats to her life and the lives of her children.
The 75-year-old, famous for managing stars like Gareth Bale and Jack Grealish, has vehemently denied the claims, asserting that they are baseless and untrue. A statement from his legal representatives proclaimed their intention to defend against the lawsuit through the proper legal channels. Barnett was previously recognized as the world's most influential sports agent by Forbes in 2019.
According to court filings, Barnett and Doe initially met in the 1990s and reconnected online in 2017. Shortly after, Doe relocated to the UK with her teenage children, with Barnett's agency, CAA Stellar, covering the moving costs. Upon her arrival, she claims Barnett made alarming declarations of ownership over her and subjected her to sexual assault in a hotel setting.
The lawsuit claims that Barnett imposed strict obedience rules and demanded to be referred to as "My Master," while forbidding any expressions of pain. The document details numerous degrading acts and torments, including being deprived of food and water while tied up for extended periods. Allegedly, between 2017 and 2023, she was trafficked and abused in multiple locations worldwide, including Los Angeles, leading her to capitulate to Barnett in fear of violence.
Furthermore, "Jane Doe" has extended her lawsuit to include the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and CAA Stellar, where Barnett held the position of executive chairman until his retirement in 2022. The claims assert that the talent agencies overlooked suspicious financial transactions related to Doe, despite her lacking any relationship with the agencies.
Barnett purportedly referred to her as "slave" in emails, utilizing his influence and finances to maintain control over her. The lawyers representing "Jane Doe" have described the allegations as a case of "institutional abuse at the highest level" and are pursuing compensation for her suffering. CAA, responding to the lawsuit, indicated they had only learned of the allegations when settlement demands were made last year and advised Doe to engage law enforcement in the UK regarding her claims.
