Last month, we reported on accusations made by former Crystal Castles member (and co-founder) Alice Glass against bandmate Ethan Kath, stating that he had sexually and physically abused her both before, and during, her time in the influential Canadian electropunk outfit. Now, Kath has fired back, with TMZ reporting that he’s suing his former bandmate for defamation.
Kath issued a statement on Glass’ claims, putting the blame on her departure on alleged substance abuse issues:
Alice and I had a long ongoing relationship both personal and professional. When she suddenly left Crystal Castles to handle her mental health issues and substance abuse issues I fully supported her. I will continue to support her quest to wellness but I can’t support extortion, false claims, and accusations put forth after the band attained new success without her.
False allegations take away voice from true victims and that’s what saddens me most about all of this.
Here’s part of the the statement Glass issued about Kath last month:
He gave me drugs and alcohol and had sex with me in an abandoned room in an apartment he managed. It wasn’t always consensual and he remained sober whenever we were together. He became physically abusive. He held me over a staircase and threatened to throw me down it. He picked me up over his shoulders and threw me onto concrete.
Kath is claiming that Glass’ allegations have cost the band as much as $300k in profits from a recently canceled tour.