High-Profile Sports Agent Jonathan Barnett Faces Rape Accusations in US Lawsuit

The civil lawsuit, filed by an anonymous woman, alleges Jonathan Barnett emotionally and physically abused her, keeping her in a state of "bondage" and control. Barnett has denied the allegations, stating they are unfounded and intends to defend himself vigorously.

High-profile British sports agent Jonathan Barnett is embroiled in serious allegations as an unnamed woman (referred to as "Jane Doe") has accused him of raping her more than 39 times in a civil lawsuit filed in a US district court in Los Angeles. The lawsuit details horrific accusations, claiming Barnett "trafficked" her from Australia to the UK in 2017, subjecting her to a six-year period of physical and emotional torture.

The 75-year-old, who is known for representing prominent footballers such as Gareth Bale and Jack Grealish, vehemently denies these claims. His legal team characterized the charges as "untrue" and expressed a commitment to defending against the allegations, asserting Barnett looks forward to being exonerated.

According to the civil complaint submitted on Wednesday, "Jane Doe" alleges that after meeting Barnett in the 1990s and reconnecting in 2017, she relocated to the UK with her teenage children, financed by Barnett’s agency, CAA Stellar. Upon her arrival, she claims he asserted ownership over her, leading to repeated sexual assaults in hotel rooms.

The allegations extend to claims of strict rules imposed upon her, demanding she refer to him as "My Master," and forbidding her from expressing her pain. The lawsuit specifies degrading treatments, including forced consumption of bodily fluids and being tied up for extended periods without basic necessities.

Barnett is accused of maintaining control over her through threats against her life and the lives of her children, leading her to acquiesce to his demands out of fear. The lawsuit states that between 2017 and 2023, she was "trafficked, threatened, tortured, and held" in various locations globally.

In addition to Barnett, "Jane Doe" is suing Creative Artists Agency and CAA Stellar, where Barnett was executive chairman until last year. The complaint alleges that these agencies overlooked significant financial transactions made to her despite her not being associated with them in any professional capacity.

In a response to the lawsuit, CAA stated that they learned of the allegations last year when settlement discussions began. They clarified that "Jane Doe" has never held a formal connection with their companies and urged her to report her claims to law enforcement in the UK.

As the case develops, lawyers representing "Jane Doe" emphasize the broader implications of "institutional abuse at the highest level" and are seeking damages on her behalf.