$850,000 lawsuit against Garth Brooks alleges fraud, breach of contract, labor law violations

Garth Brooks’ former business partner filed a lawsuit against the country music superstar in Los Angeles on Monday, alleging fraud and breach of oral contract.

A spokesperson for Brooks at Red Strokes Entertainment Inc. responded: “Mr. Brooks, of course, denies everything in the lawsuit filed today by Lisa Sanderson.”

Brooks founded Red Strokes to develop and produce film and television projects, according to the lawsuit. The company is named after a Brooks song of the same name, from his 1993 album “In Pieces.”

Sanderson claims in the lawsuit that the song is based on a poem she wrote.

She says in the suit that she was hired to help Brooks break into a movie and television career and that he turned down repeated offers to participate in high-profile movies and films.

The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $850,000 for violation of labor laws and breach of oral agreement, plus unspecified punitive damages and attorney fees.

The sharply worded suit claims that Sanderson started working with Brooks in 1994 with a promise of 50 percent of producer fees paid to the Red Strokes company for her work, in addition to her salary.

If she did not earn “millions” from her work with Brooks or if Red Strokes “ceased doing business for any reason while Sanderson was still employed there,” she was promised a $250,000 bonus “to compensate for loyalty and years of service,” her suit claims.

The suit also claims that he kiboshed roles in the movies “Twister” (1996) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) because he wasn’t offered prominent enough roles, among other things.

“Brooks ruined every potential motion picture deal that was presented to Red Strokes,” the suit alleges.

The suit also claims that Sanderson wasn’t paid for producer work she did for a television movie and music placement in a film. It claims that Red Strokes issued “dummy paychecks” to her — in which the entire amount was deducted — for a promised $250,000 bonus and then fraudulently reported to state and federal tax authorities that she had received the amounts as income.

The suit calls Brooks a “paranoid, angry, deceitful and vindictive man who will turn against those closest to him on a dime.”

The suit says Brooks has been conducting business in Los Angeles County and owns a home there. He and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, also have a home on an acreage east of Owasso.

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