Bob Dylan, 80, is accused by a woman of having sexually abused her several times in 1965. The 68-year-old has now filed a lawsuit against the musician in the Manhattan Supreme Court; the woman from Greenwich, Connecticut, is listed in the complaint with only the initials JC and is said to have been only twelve years old at the time of the crime. Dylan meanwhile had the allegations rejected as “untrue” and announced that they would “vigorously” defend themselves.
Bodily harm and infliction of mental suffering
According to the lawsuit, Dylan allegedly used his fame to gain her trust. He also used alcohol and drugs. The multiple abuse is said to have taken place in the Chelsea Hotel in New York, where Dylan temporarily lived. The allegations include assault and mental suffering. The plaintiff is still suffering from the consequences of the emotional trauma, her lawyers claim. She demands damages in an undisclosed amount.
The woman also describes how Robert Allen Zimmerman – that is Dylan’s real name – developed “an emotional bond” with her over a period of six weeks in April and May 1965. According to the 13-page complaint, the singer planned to “build trust and gain control over his victim in order to be able to sexually harass and abuse her.”
Lawsuit filed just before the statute of limitations
The lawsuit falls under the New York State’s Child Victim Act look-back window under the New York State’s Child Victim Act look-back window. After this, the usual limitation period for victims who were abused in their childhood is lifted. The plaintiff had filed her lawsuit on Friday evening – just three hours before the “window” was closed by the legislature.
Bob Dylan has been one of the most influential musicians for decades. After his breakthrough with the song “Blowin ‘In The Wind” (1963), he landed another global success in 1965 with “Like A Rolling Stone” from the album “Highway 61 Revisited”. Oscar winner Dylan, who received the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature, has sold over 100 million records.
With the sale of his song catalog last year to the world’s largest music company Universal Music, he is said to have made more than 300 million dollars. Possible damages would also be based on his assets. (with dpa)
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