Bob Dylan.Photo: Michael Kovac/WireImage
“This case—based on plaintiff’s alleged interactions with Bob Dylan more than 56 years ago–is a brazen shakedown masquerading as a lawsuit,” the document, an answer to an amended complaint filed on Dec. 27, reads. “It was filed in bad faith for the improper purpose of extracting a huge payout on the threat of negative publicity. The allegation is false, malicious, reckless and defamatory. Mr. Dylan will not be extorted.”
The plaintiff — identified only as J.C. — filed suit against the “Like a Rolling Stone” singer in August, alleging that he “sexually molested and abused” her in 1965 after giving her drugs and alcohol at his Chelsea Hotel apartment.
Though J.C.’s initial suit claimed the timeframe was April and May of 1965, her amended complaint changed the period to “the spring” of that year, after historians noted that Dylan’s tours and other engagements placed him outside of New York City in those months.
Bob Dylan.Val Wilmer/Redferns
Dylan’s lawyers said in the most recent filing that the 10-time Grammy winner was an “easy mark” off of whom J.C.’s lawyers “hoped to profit.”
“According to her own website, plaintiff is a psychic who specializes in ‘channeling’ the deceased loved ones of grieving families – for a fee,” their answer reads.
Peter J. Gleason, the plaintiff’s attorney, toldRolling Stonethat targeting J.C.’s belief in psychic phenomena was unfair.
“Some people refer to Bob Dylan as a prophet. People have labels. More than half of Americans believe in psychic phenomena,” he said. “If you’re going to attack somebody for their beliefs, you’re encroaching upon very dangerous territory. This is what this country is based on, freedom of beliefs. It shouldn’t divert our attention from the allegations. This case is about the facts.”
According to her suit, J.C. now lives in Connecticut, and suffers from depression, anxiety and other psychological damages of “permanent and lasting natures” that have “incapacitated” her from her regular activities.
She filed against Dylan one day before the two-year window expired.
source: people.com
