Legal Battle Unfolds: Anti-Flag's Justin Sane Named in Alleged 2010 Rape Case
Justin Sane of Anti-Flag is currently entangled in a legal battle as he faces a lawsuit filed by Kristina Sarhadi, who alleges she was raped by the punk rockstar in 2010. Sarhadi, a New York holistic therapist, asserts that Sane, whose real name is Justin Cathal Geever, not only violated her physically but also exploited his status as a self-proclaimed 'punk rockstar' to manipulate and prey on vulnerable young girls.
This legal action, initiated under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, seeks justice for Sarhadi and, by extension, aims to empower other survivors to come forward. Sarhadi's statement emphasizes that the trauma inflicted by sexual predators is irreversible, but the silence of victims will no longer be tolerated.
The lawsuit expands its scope beyond Sane, involving Hardwork Distribution Inc., the distribution arm of Anti-Flag’s A-F Records, and an unnamed defendant. Sarhadi contends that both entities should have been aware of Sane's alleged pattern of sexual misconduct with young women and underage girls in motel rooms across the country. The legal argument suggests that they had a duty to protect potential victims.
Sarhadi's encounter with Sane began after an Anti-Flag show in 2010. Despite expressing her commitment to a long-term relationship, Sarhadi claims she was persuaded to attend a film festival with Sane due to his proclaimed feminist stance and the fact that he had a serious girlfriend. Subsequently, after watching Sane's performance at the festival, Sarhadi alleges she was invited to an afterparty and then to Sane's motel room, where the assault occurred.
The lawsuit details a disturbing sequence of events, including Sane earning sympathy by discussing personal tragedies during the drive and then allegedly subjecting Sarhadi to physical and sexual violence. Sarhadi describes crying and pleading with Sane to stop, but her requests were ignored. The incident left her with severe psychological injuries, leading to conditions such as C-PTSD, clinical depression, ADHD resulting from trauma, emotional hyperarousal, and rejection sensitivity dysphoria.
In addition to seeking damages for lost income and medical expenses, Sarhadi accuses Sane of assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit extends its claims of negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress to both Hardwork Distribution Inc. and the unnamed defendant.
Sarhadi's decision to pursue legal action was not immediate. Initially, she shared her story for personal healing, with no intention of naming Sane or pursuing a lawsuit. However, revelations from other alleged survivors prompted her to take a stand against the perceived inaction of those around Sane, shedding light on what she describes as the "levels of his depravity." The unfolding legal proceedings underscore a broader conversation about accountability within the music industry concerning allegations of abuse and misconduct.