Anti-Flag Band Members’ Company Dismissed from Justin Sane Sexual Assault Lawsuit
January 2025 – Punk Rock Press
A New York court has dismissed Hardwork Distribution Inc., the company owned by former Anti-Flag members, from a sexual assault lawsuit tied to allegations against the band’s frontman, Justin Sane.
The accusations against Sane—whose real name is Justin Geever—first surfaced in 2023 when Kristina Sarhadi, a New York holistic therapist and health coach, filed a lawsuit alleging sexual assault.
Hardwork Distribution Inc. Removed from Lawsuit
Sarhadi’s legal action also named Hardwork Distribution Inc., the business entity associated with Anti-Flag and owned by Pat Thetic (Patrick Bollinger), Chris Head, and Chris No. 2 (Chris Barker). The lawsuit accused the company of negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
In December 2024, Judge Brenda K. Sannes dismissed the claims against Hardwork Distribution Inc., citing insufficient evidence to link the company to Geever’s alleged actions.
Lawsuit Against Justin Sane Continues
While Hardwork Distribution Inc. is no longer part of the case, the lawsuit against Geever remains active. Sarhadi’s filings allege that Geever “used his platform as a celebrated, self-proclaimed ‘punk rock star’ to groom and lure vulnerable girls into feeling safe in his presence.”
The documents also state, “While he sang about protecting women and standing up to abusers, it appears he was hiding an addiction to power and control, harming countless women who have been unable to speak up before now. Today I hope to encourage his survivors, and survivors of other predators in the music industry, to feel hope again.”
Geever has denied all allegations in a statement:
“Recently, there have been claims of sexual assault made against me, and I can tell you that these stories are categorically false,” he said. “I have never engaged in a sexual relationship that was not consensual, nor have I ever been approached by a woman after a sexual encounter and been told I had in any way acted without her consent or violated her in any way.”
Anti-Flag’s Sudden Breakup and Fallout
In 2023, Anti-Flag shocked fans by announcing their sudden breakup without any explanation. The band swiftly deleted all social media accounts and their official website, further fueling speculation about the allegations.
On the same day as the announcement, the podcast Enough aired an episode in which a woman described being raped by a singer in a political punk band. While the band and singer were not initially named, speculation quickly pointed to Geever. It was later confirmed that the woman was Sarhadi.
Allegations of Evading Legal Action
In an amended lawsuit, Sarhadi accused Geever of attempting to evade legal proceedings. The filing alleges that he sold his home in Pittsburgh, transferred funds to an Irish bank account, and planned to “flee to Europe.”
What’s Next for Justin Sane and Anti-Flag’s Legacy?
As the lawsuit against Justin Sane continues, it casts a long shadow over Anti-Flag’s legacy as one of punk rock’s most politically conscious bands. While their music spoke out against injustice, these allegations have left fans grappling with the fallout and the contradictions between the band’s message and Geever’s alleged actions.
For survivors of sexual violence:
- In the U.S., visit RAINN.
- In the U.K., visit Rape Crisis.
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