Anti-Flag Members’ Business Exonerated in Justin Sane’s Sexual Assault Lawsuit

A judge dismisses lawsuit against company

A judge has dismissed a company owned by former Anti-Flag members from a sexual assault lawsuit involving frontman Justin Sane.

Allegations and lawsuits unfold

The allegations against the singer (real name Justin Geever) came to light in 2023 when Christina Sarhadi, a New York-based holistic therapist and health coach, filed a lawsuit against him.

Per MetalInjection, Sarhadi then filed a lawsuit against Hardwork Distribution Inc., a division of Anti-Flag, accusing the group of negligence as well as negligent infliction of emotional distress. The business is owned by band members Pat Tetic (Patrick Bollinger), Chris Head, and Chris No. 2 (Chris Barker).

However, in December, New York Judge Brenda K. Sannes dismissed the lawsuit against Hardwork Distribution Inc., citing a lack of provable connection between Giever’s actions and the company itself.

Sarhadi’s lawsuit against Giver remains in effect, alleging that Giver “used his platform as a famous, self-proclaimed ‘punk rock star’ to groom and lure vulnerable girls so that they would feel safe in his presence.”

He went on to write: “Although he sang about protecting women and standing up to rapists, he seemed to be hiding his penchant for power and control, hurting countless women who were still unable to speak out. Today, I hope to encourage his survivors and other predators in the music industry to feel hope again.”

Giver did not respond to requests for comment at the time but later shared a statement denying all allegations made against him. News of the allegations coincided with the band’s announcement of their sudden breakup in 2023, without any explanation. They then deleted all their social media accounts and official website.

The podcast was released on the same day. Enough. A film was released in which a woman said that she was raped by the singer of a political punk band. She did not name the band or the singer, but many then assumed that she meant Giver. The woman was later confirmed to be Sarhadi.

A few days after the split, Geever released his statement, saying: “Recently, allegations of sexual assault have been made against me, and I can tell you that these stories are categorically false.

“I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity and have never had a woman come up to me after a sexual encounter and say that I acted in any way without her consent or that I violated her in any way.”

Last year, Sarhadi amended her complaint and said Giver “purposefully and unlawfully attempted to evade service” in a lawsuit she filed against him. It also alleged that the punk musician had sold his home in Pittsburgh, was trying to “hide his assets by transferring funds overseas to an Irish bank account,” and was reportedly planning to “flee to Europe.”