Just weeks after Christian Music superstar Michael Tait issued a public apology on his social media platforms, the Brentwood Police Department is now asking potential abuse survivors to come forward.
As Premier previously reported, several men have accused Tait of sexual assault since The Roys Report first reported that he assaulted three men between 2004 and 2014. Since that initial report, more alleged victims have spoken out, including Evanescence co-founder Jason Jones.
Jones initially told The Guardian that he met Tait in the early 90s as a fan. He said that Tait helped him and Evanescence secure meetings with prominent people within the music industry, which allowed the music group to eventually rise to popularity.
Jones also said that during this time, Tait opened up to him and confessed to living a double life as a “closeted gay man.” In one incident from 1998, Jones said he was drinking at Tait’s home where he later became tired and was told to sleep in Tait’s bedroom. When he woke up some time later, he claims that Tait was performing oral sex on him.
Jones said he was fired from Evanescence after speaking up about the alleged incident from Tait’s home.
“It destroyed me,” Jones told The Guardian. “I was achieving my dreams at an early age, and Tait changed all that.”
A spokesperson for Brentwood Police told The Tennessean that the department is aware of the allegations made against Tait but did not go into detail about whether the police department will launch an official investigation.
"We take these allegations seriously and want to speak with anyone, especially potential victims, with knowledge about this situation," Spokesman Charles Booth told the publication.
At present, Tait has not been charged in connection with any of the allegations.