Aug 16, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Lawsuit accuses Bob Dylan of sexually abusing girl, 12, in 1965

Rebecca Falconer

Photo of Bob DYLAN, performing on a BBC TV show in the U.K. in the 1960s — Bob Dylan performing at the BBC television center in London, England, in the 1960s. Photo: Val Wilmer/Redferns

Bob Dylan is being accused in a new lawsuit of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in 1965. He strongly denies the allegation.

Driving the news: His accuser, identified in court documents as "J.C.," alleges the 80-year-old Nobel-winning folk music legend gave her drugs and alcohol before sexually abusing her.

The woman, now 68 years old, accuses the singer-songwriter of sexual abuse, battery, false imprisonment and infliction of emotional distress.
The suit, filed Friday and first obtained by the New York Post on Monday, alleges Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, "exploited his status as a musician by grooming JC to gain her trust and to obtain control over her as part of his plan to sexually molest and abuse."
She claims his alleged "provision of drugs, alcohol and threats of physical violence, leaving her emotionally scarred and psychologically damaged to this day."

What he's saying: A representative for Dylan said in a statement to news outlets, "The 56-year-old claim is untrue and will be vigorously defended."

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Lawsuit accuses Bob Dylan of sexually abusing girl, 12, in 1965

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