Model claiming to have dated Andrew Tate sues him for sexual assault

A Los Angeles woman is suing Andrew Tate, an online influencer known for promoting misogynistic views, accusing him of physically and sexually abusing her while they were in a relationship.

The civil complaint, filed Thursday in Superior Court in Los Angeles County by Brianna Stern, a model, claimed that Tate choked, beat and verbally degraded her while they were in a relationship that began last July and included a hotel stay in California this month.

It is the latest legal accusation against Tate, who is also being investigated by authorities in Britain and Romania on allegations of human trafficking, money laundering and sex crimes.

Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, spent about two years in and out of house arrest in Romania amid an investigation by authorities there and were allowed to leave the country in February.

Tate denied Stern's allegations through his representatives.

"This is a blatant cash grab -- a desperate attempt by a sad individual to exploit Andrew's success and reputation for personal gain," his U.S. legal team said in a statement. "Ms. Stern has chosen to air her false claims in the press, revealing her true motives: money and attention, not justice."

In the 30-page lawsuit, Stern accused Andrew Tate of threatening her with violence and psychologically controlling her during their relationship.

She asked the court for a restraining order, saying that Tate had forced her to install an app on her phone so that he could track her, and to give him the passwords to her social media accounts.

Tony Buzbee, a lawyer for Stern, said in an email Friday that his client was courageous for shedding light on the alleged abuse.

According to the lawsuit, Stern and Tate met in July 2024.

Stern, a model and influencer with her own cryptocurrency coin, was searching for advice, the lawsuit said, and Tate was looking for models to join him in Romania to help promote his crypto meme coin.

She went to Romania and they began a relationship, discussing plans to live together in the United States, the lawsuit said. At times, Tate was loving and kind, the lawsuit said, but he also berated her and hit her.

To exert his control over her, the lawsuit said, he asked Stern to get a tattoo with the words "Property of Tate," which the lawsuit said he had required of several former girlfriends.

Stern said in the suit that Tate assaulted her during a stay at The Beverly Hills Hotel on March 10. Tate choked and beat Stern until she nearly lost consciousness despite her pleading for him to stop, according to court papers.

"While doing so, Tate told her repeatedly that if she ever crossed him, he was going to kill her," the lawsuit said.

Stern said she sought medical attention after their stay at the hotel and was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome.

She waited to report the assault to police until after the brothers left the United States -- they returned to Romania on March 22 for a hearing there -- because she was afraid of retaliation, the complaint said.

In her lawsuit, Stern provided screenshots of what she said were text messages that Tate had sent her: "if you ever betray me you will regret it."

In another text, the lawsuit said, Tate wrote, "Whats the point in having you" and continued, "if i don't beat you and impregnate you."

The Beverly Hills Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the allegations in the lawsuit.

In a statement shared on her social media accounts Thursday, Stern said that she had been in love with Tate, but added that the events described in the lawsuit had prompted her to end the relationship.

"Coming out about this is really terrifying in all aspects," she wrote. "The entire situation is very traumatic and extremely difficult."

Stern said that she was reluctant to speak up.

"I know he and his followers will insult me and attack me," she said. "I don't care because I speak the truth."

Although they are allowed to travel outside of Romania after authorities there lifted travel restrictions on them, Tate and his brother are still being investigated for allegations of criminal wrongdoing.

A group of women in Britain who sued Andrew Tate over claims of sexual assault have also lobbied the British government to extradite the brothers, while another lawsuit is playing out in a Florida court between the brothers and an American woman who gave testimony to Romanian authorities.

The brothers' arrival in Florida last month was met with alarm from women's rights groups. The state's attorney general, James Uthmeier, opened a criminal investigation into the brothers.

But some conservatives welcomed the brothers' arrival. They have since returned to Romania to face criminal proceedings in Bucharest and remained there Friday.