Michael Tait, a prominent figure in Christian rock known for his work with DC Talk, Newsboys, and various solo projects, is facing new allegations of sexual assault from two men, including the former founding manager of rock band Evanescence.
According to a report from The Guardian, Jason Jones met Tait in the early 1990s as a fan. He told the publication that he was later fired from Evanescence for speaking out about the alleged assault, which took place at Tait’s house in 1998.
“It destroyed me,” Jones told the outlet. “I was achieving my dreams at an early age, and Tait changed all that.”
Jones said Tait helped him and Evanescence secure meetings with record labels, producers, and venue owners. During this time, he said he participated in uncomfortable behaviour, including partying, drinking, and smoking cannabis to gain Tait’s approval, according to The Daily Beast.
It was also during this period that Jones claims Tait confessed to living a double life as “a closeted gay man.”
In one incident from 1998, Jones said he was drinking at Tait’s house, felt tired, and was told to go to sleep in Tait’s bedroom. When he woke up some time later, he alleges that Tait was performing oral sex on him.
“I said no and pushed him off, but then, somehow, I passed out again. I woke back up, and he was still doing it. I said no again, then nodded out,” Jones told The Guardian. “And then I woke up a third time, aggressively shouted, ‘no!’ and pushed him harder. It was then that he left me alone.”
Jones believes that Tait drugged him.
Evanescence co-founder Ben Moody denies that Jones was fired for speaking out against Tait. Moody said that while he recalls Jones telling him about the sexual encounter, he thought it was consensual.
“I was a kid, only 18, and clearly didn’t realise what he was going through,” Moody said. “I’m sure I missed a lot of things I’d recognise today. I didn’t realise he was traumatised.”
In total, the number of men accusing Tait of sexual assault and/or being drugged has risen to eight since 4 June. In addition to his fame with DC Talk and Newsboys, Tait has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, even serving as a bridge between Trump and evangelical voters.
The Roys Report first revealed that Tait allegedly assaulted three men between 2004 and 2014. Since then, more alleged victims have come forward, including two minors.
On 10 June, Tait responded to the allegations with a post titled “My Confession.” He admitted to abusing cocaine and alcohol for over two decades and to touching men in “an unwanted sensual way.”
“I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them,” he wrote.