Boyd Tinsley, former violinist of the Dave Matthews Band, is embroiled in a fresh legal tussle, accused of violating terms from a 2019 settlement arising from a sexual harassment case.
Back in 2018, musician James Frost-Winn, a former member of Tinsley’s band Crystal Garden, lodged a lawsuit against Tinsley, alleging an unsettling incident where Tinsley allegedly ejaculated near Frost-Winn and touched his buttocks while Frost-Winn slept in November 2015.
The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture, detailing Tinsley’s purported apology to Frost-Winn, citing confusion due to medication and promising it wouldn’t reoccur.
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Further revelations included a series of explicit text exchanges in 2016 where Tinsley allegedly discussed intimate acts and requested suggestive photos.
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Frost-Winn pursued legal action in May 2018, resulting in a settlement agreement of $837,000 the following year. However, a clause in the settlement barred both parties from publicly discussing the matter.
Allegations surfaced that Tinsley breached this clause in February 2022 through social media posts, prompting Frost-Winn’s legal team to file a new lawsuit in Washington State Superior Court.
Tinsley’s social media response, captured as evidence, denied the accusations, labeling them as fabrications by financially motivated individuals. While not directly naming Frost-Winn, Tinsley’s statements hinted at his identity, according to defamation law.
The lawsuit, filed within Washington state’s defamation statute of limitations, alleges Tinsley’s breach and seeks damages for defamation, among other claims. Attempts at mediation failed, leading to the lawsuit, which points to multiple breaches of the non-disparagement clause, each carrying a penalty of $25,000.
Frost-Winn’s attorney expressed disappointment at the necessity of legal action, citing failed settlement attempts and unfulfilled requests for financial information from Tinsley’s side.
Tinsley’s legal representative did not respond immediately for comment on the new lawsuit. Tinsley, in response to the initial allegations in 2018, vowed to fight both in and out of court to clear his name, emphasizing the distress caused to his family, friends, and fans.
Meanwhile, amidst this legal battle, the Dave Matthews Band received a nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Whether Tinsley will participate in the event remains uncertain, pending resolution of the ongoing legal dispute.
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