NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A former “Nashville Star” contestant who filed assault and harassment charges against country star John Rich is now suing the singer.
In a lawsuit filed Monday in Circuit Court, Jared Ashley cites the assault and harassment allegations and contends that Rich and Rich’s attorney defamed him by falsely telling the media that Ashley demanded $2.9 million to drop the charges. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
Rich is part of the hit duo Big & Rich.
He turned himself in to Nashville police last week to face assault and harassment charges and was released on $3,000 bond.
Rich denied all the charges.
A representative for Rich said Tuesday that the singer declined comment.
