Russell Brand is back in the headlines, this time facing a civil lawsuit in the United States.
A woman, referred to in court papers as AGX, is seeking £100,000 in damages, claiming the comedian attacked her at his Hollywood home 17 years ago.
The alleged incident dates back to 2008, when she was 23.
Allegations of Assault at Hollywood Home
According to the claim, Brand invited AGX to his Los Angeles mansion after they first met at Ago, a former celebrity hotspot in West Hollywood.
The woman alleges that he greeted her in nothing but dirty white Y-fronts, led her upstairs, and became aggressive in his bedroom.
She says Brand tried to force sexual acts on her, pushing her onto his bed.
Terrified, she fled the house half-dressed, leaving behind her underwear in her rush to escape.
AGX claims the alleged assault caused long-lasting trauma, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder. S
he is seeking damages for emotional harm, plus an additional £25,000 for the humiliation and terror she says she endured.
Brand Denies All Wrongdoing
Brand, 50, has responded strongly to the allegations.
In his defense, he admits meeting AGX and inviting her to his home but insists the encounter was entirely consensual and uneventful.
He denies stripping her, forcing her onto the bed, or assaulting her in any way.
His legal team also argues the case is time-barred. Under Californian law, civil claims of this kind must be filed within ten years—meaning the deadline would have passed in 2018.
Even under English law, they argue, the six-year limit has long expired.
The High Court will first need to determine whether the claim can proceed at all, given the alleged incident occurred nearly two decades ago.
Ongoing Criminal Proceedings
This civil case comes amid ongoing criminal investigations into Brand’s alleged past sexual misconduct.
He pleaded not guilty earlier this year to charges including rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault in London.
Allegations first emerged during a 2023 investigation by the Sunday Times and Dispatches.
The charges include alleged incidents dating from 1999 to 2005, involving multiple women in different locations.
Brand has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity.
He is scheduled to stand trial in June next year.
Brand’s Public Profile Today
Once known for hosting Channel 4’s Big Brother’s Big Mouth, Brand now runs a popular YouTube show, often exploring conspiracy theories and controversial political topics.
Despite the serious allegations, he remains a prominent figure in media and continues to attract significant public attention.