Reps for the now 80-year-old musician have stated that the claims are "untrue".
A lawsuit has been filed against Bob Dylan by a woman claiming she was the victim of sexual abuse from the musician over a number of weeks in New York City in 1965. The woman, identified as J.C., was 12-years-old at the time.
The lawsuit was filed at the New York State Supreme Court last week, alleging that the abuse happened over a six-week period during April and May of that year. Chelesa Hotel in Manhattan is where she claims the abuse took place, and according to the suit, the plaintiff is citing: "Severe psychological damage and emotional trauma caused by Dylan’s wrongful and criminal acts."
The lawsuit continues, stating that Bob Dylan: "Befriended and established an emotional connection with the plaintiff to lower her inhibitions with the object of sexually abusing her, which he did, coupled with the provision of drugs, alcohol and, threats of physical violence, leaving her emotionally scarred and psychologically damaged to this day."
The suit claims that he "exploited his status as a musician".
According to Deadline, a rep for Bob Dylan shot down the sexual abuse claim, saying: "The 56-year-old claim is untrue and will be vigorously defended."
According to the publication, the lawsuit might already have "hit a pothole". In 1965, during the time that the alleged incidents took place, Bob Dylan was on tour. The musician was touring with his then-lover Joan Baez during the month of March of that year before embarking on a tour in the UK for the next two months, culminating with his show at the Royal Albert Hall on May 10. Should the calendar dates match up with the accusor's suit, it seems highly unlikely Bob Dylan was in New York when the declared sexual abuse took place.
