Two more men have accused Christian rock star Michael Tait of sexual assault, adding to the already mounting allegations against him. The accusations include claims of drugging and sexual assault, with one accuser being Jason Jones, the founding manager of the rock band Evanescence.
Jones claims he was fired from Evanescence after reporting the alleged assault by Tait. He states that this firing, which he says occurred in 1999, prevented him from participating in the band's subsequent success, which began in 2003. "It destroyed me," Jones said, adding that Tait's actions derailed his early career aspirations.
Ben Moody, co-founder of Evanescence, disputes Jones' claim that he was fired for speaking out against Tait. Moody recalls Jones mentioning a sexual encounter with Tait but interpreted it as consensual at the time. He acknowledged his immaturity at the time, stating, "I was a kid, only 18, and clearly didn’t realize what he was going through. I’m sure I missed a lot of things I’d recognize today. I didn’t realize he was traumatized."
These new accusations bring the total number of public allegations against Tait to eight. A previous investigation by The Guardian reported allegations from three young men, while another investigation by the Roys Report, a Christian news outlet, reported allegations from three other men. Tait gained fame as the frontman of the Christian rock band DC Talk and later formed the band Newsboys.
The Growing List of Accusations
The allegations against Tait span several years, raising serious questions about his behavior and the potential for a pattern of abuse. The impact on the alleged victims is profound, with Jones describing the experience as devastating to his career and personal life.
Denials and Discrepancies
While Moody denies that Jones was fired for reporting the alleged assault, the discrepancy highlights the challenges in understanding and addressing such situations, especially when they involve power dynamics and differing perceptions.
What's Next?
The new accusations against Michael Tait are likely to intensify scrutiny of his past actions and raise further questions about accountability within the Christian music industry. The legal and professional repercussions of these allegations remain to be seen.