Summary
The Last of Usstar Ashley Johnson filed a lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend, Brian Wayne Foster, alleging various forms of abuse. The complaint, co-signed by six more women, arrives months afterJohnson filed a restraining order against Foster.
Foster and Johnson started their relationship in 2012, a few years before theirhitDungeons and DragonsseriesCritical Rolestarted live-streaming. They got engaged in 2018 and separated in March 2023. Two months later, Johnson won an emergency protective order against Foster after testifying to numerous “acts of terror” committed by her former fiance against her and her family. The filing alleged sexual assault, property damage, verbal abuse, and an attempt to extort $150,000 from Johnson, among other transgressions.
Johnson and half a dozen other women have now filed a civil lawsuit against Foster with the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, ComicBook reports, citing a copy of the October 3 complaint. Apart from reiterating the abuse claims from the May restraining order, the lawsuit includes new allegations of Foster having a long track record of predatory behavior, including sexual assault and harassment of two otherCritical Roleemployees. The complaint also alleges that Foster started carrying a garotte and Airsoft guns after breaking up with Johnson, in addition to stalkingThe Last of Usstar by taking over her home security cameras.
Critical Role Productions denied having any knowledge of the numerous incidents detailed in the lawsuit. In a statement provided to ComicBook, the LA-based company said it’s nonetheless fully committed to supporting the victims in any way possible, labeling their experiences as “heartbreaking.” The production studio also revealed it’s currently reviewing its culture and workplace conditions in response to the controversy. Its comments on the matter arrive months afterCritical Roleremoved hundreds of videos featuring Fosterfrom its official YouTube channel, plausibly prompted by Johnson’s restraining order against her former fiance.
The lawsuit aims to make the said protective order permanent, demanding an indefinite injunction mandating that Foster never contacts Johnson or her family, or attempts to approach her. It also seeks financial compensation and punitive damages for the abuse that the former host ofCritical RoleshowTalks Machinais said to have inflicted on his victims. Johnson, whorecently reprised herLast of Usrole of Ellie, previously alleged that her ex-boyfriend’s abusive tendencies were often fueled by substance abuse. Foster promptly denied her allegations after being served with the May restraining order.
Stateside civil cases commonly take a couple of years to go to trial. However, the “overwhelming majority” of such disputes is resolved prior to this stage, either through a settlement or judicial order, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
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