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Former Anti-Flag<\/a> frontman Justin Sane has been ordered to pay nearly $2 million in damages to a woman who alleged that he raped her in 2010, Rolling Stone<\/em><\/a> reports and Pitchfork can confirm. The woman, Kristina Sarhadi, filed a lawsuit against Justin Sane, whose legal name is Justin Cathal Geever, in 2023, but the singer never responded to the complaint in court. As a result, Judge Brenda K. Sannes granted a default judgment against Justin Sane.<\/p>\n Judge Sannes handed down her ruling on Tuesday, July 22. She awarded Sarhadi $1,170,800 in damages related to her claims of assault, battery, and sexual battery. She awarded Sarhadi a further $750,000 in punitive damages. Judge Sannes also denied Sarhadi\u2019s motion for default judgment with respect to a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress. Pitchfork has reached out to Justin Sane and attorneys for Sarhadi for comment on the judgment.<\/p>\n Sarhadi initially filed her lawsuit in a New York state court, under New York\u2019s Adult Survivors Act<\/a>, but the case was moved to a federal court at the beginning of 2024. In her complaint, Sarhadi alleged that Justin Sane \u201cstrangled her, forced her to perform oral sex on him, and raped her\u201d at a motel when she was 21 years old.<\/p>\n Sarhadi\u2019s lawsuit arrived months after Anti-Flag\u2019s sudden breakup<\/a>. Justin Sane\u2019s former bandmates eventually explained<\/a> that allegations of sexual assault contributed to the group\u2019s dissolution. Justin Sane denied that he committed sexual assault, but numerous women, including Sarhadi, soon came forward<\/a> to speak with Rolling Stone<\/em> about Justin Sane\u2019s allegedly predatory and abusive behavior.<\/p>\n If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we encourage you to reach out for support:<\/em><\/p>\n RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline<\/em>
https:\/\/www.rainn.org<\/em><\/a>
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)<\/em><\/p>\n