Brianna Stern, a former girlfriend of polarizing internet personality Andrew Tate, has filed a bombshell lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging sexual assault, battery, and gender violence.
The court documents paint a disturbing picture of their relationship, beginning with Tate’s apparent charm during their initial meeting in Romania in summer 2024 before allegedly escalating into physical violence at The Beverly Hills Hotel on March 11.
The lawsuit contains harrowing details of an encounter where Stern claims Tate turned consensual sex into a violent attack, allegedly striking her face, choking her until near unconsciousness, and threatening to kill her if she “ever crossed him.”
Medical records included in the filing reportedly showed that Stern was later diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome following the alleged assault. Screenshots of threatening messages from Tate, including one stating “If you ever betray me you will regret it,” form part of the evidence.
Tate’s Legal Team Responds; Says It’s a “Blatant Cash Grab”
Tate’s attorney Joseph McBride issued a scathing response to the BBC, dismissing the allegations as a “money and attention” scheme while attacking Stern’s lawyer Tony Buzbee—known for representing accusers in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sexual assault cases—as a “lowlife bottom feeder.”
The defense maintains Tate will be vindicated in court, marking the latest chapter in the influencer’s mounting legal troubles spanning multiple countries.
Andrew state’s Romania Human Trafficking and New Allegations
The lawsuit arrives as Tate and his brother Tristan remain embroiled in a high-profile criminal case in Romania, facing charges of forming an organized crime group and human trafficking.
While the Tate brothers have denied all allegations across their various legal battles, this new civil action in California presents fresh scrutiny of Tate’s treatment of women—a recurring theme in his controversies.
Beyond unspecified monetary damages, Stern’s lawsuit requests a permanent restraining order against Tate and aims to halt what she describes as his “pattern of using and abusing women.”
In a touching Instagram statement she made, Stern revealed struggling to reconcile her lingering feelings with the alleged abuse: “It was honestly hard for me to accept that I was being abused.” Legal experts note the case could have ramifications for Tate’s pending criminal proceedings if evidence overlaps.
The Broader Context: Tate’s History of Misogyny Allegations
The allegations echo previous claims against Tate, whose self-described “misogynistic” persona fueled his online notoriety before platforms banned him for hate speech. With parallel investigations ongoing in the UK and US, women’s rights advocates view Stern’s decision to sue as a potential watershed moment in holding internet personalities accountable for off-platform conduct. As of publication, Tate has not personally addressed the lawsuit on his widely-followed social media channels.
What Comes Next in the Legal Battle?
Legal analysts have already drawn parallels to the unusual complexity of a civil sexual assault case ongoing alongside international criminal investigations.
The discovery process may unearth new evidence relevant to Tate’s Romanian human trafficking trial, while the involvement of high-profile attorney Buzbee—fresh from the Diddy lawsuits—indicates an aggressive litigation strategy. With Stern seeking both personal restitution and broader institutional change, the case could become a landmark test of influencer accountability in the #MeToo and ‘Cancel Culture’ era.
