John Rich settlement in the works?

 

Well it looks like wheels of the legal system - or the money train - have been steadily turning and there will soon be a John Rich and Jared Ashley settlement. 

According to the district attorney general's office, there's a settlement hearing scheduled for Wednesday, June 17.  

Kaching.

This will be a settlement hearing for Jared Ashley's lawsuit which I assume will include John Rich dropping his defamation suit. 

Hopefully then the two can kiss and makeup and all can be well again in Music City. 

Comments

[Amy]

what a shame though I do like JR he's fun.

[Chris]

I think you're right Marie, I think this will finish John Rich.

[marie]

I just hope there's no jail time involved. He'll have to pay up and probably go into anger management, but will he quit drinking too? So far he has yet to admit he's an alcoholic, but maybe now he'll have to admit that's the problem.

Also we don't know what other "dirt" there is. I'm sure Ashley knows some things he hasn't brought out yet that he's probably saving for court. If John is accused of other illegal behaviors he will have a hard time playing the victim. People already see him in an unsavory light. He needs an image overhaul for his career to survive all this. But I think he's too arrogant and sure of himself to admit he was in the wrong. I don't know if anything can save his career. Maybe he needs a little break from the music business to get his life in order.

BTW I think there was a Big & Rich concert in California scheduled for yesterday which is why he wasn't in court. I wonder how Big Kenny feels about all this. Kenny has already put alot of distance between them. It might be the last straw and the end of Big & Rich.

[Chris]

Well...what do you think will happen? If he goes through court and all the dirt comes out, do you think John will stand a chance? Perhaps there's more to this than we know, but from all I've seen John's guilty. Either way, I think John will be forever tarnished.

[Amy]

this just in and i'm quoting "The City PAPER"

Country music star John Rich did not make a settlement appearance in Davidson County Criminal Court on Thursday and will now head to trial to contest charges of assault and harassment.

The hearing will take place Oct. 2 in Judge Aaron Holt’s court room.

A settlement appearance was scheduled for Thursday but no settlement was reached between Rich’s attorney and the District Attorney’s office. Neither Rich nor his legal representation appeared in court. No appearance was necessary because a date for the hearing had already been agreed upon.

Rich is charged with two counts of assault and one count of harassment.

He is accused of assaulting and harassing former Nashville Star contestant Jared Ashley. The most recent alleged incident took place in May, when Rich allegedly punched Ashley in the face the nightclub The Spot — owned by Rich.

According to the arrest affidavit, Rich then left a voicemail for Ashley in the early morning hours after the incident. In the voicemail, Rich allegedly threatened to “knock the shit” out of Ashley.

The first alleged altercation between the two took place a year ago when Rich interrupted a performance by Ashley and allegedly said he ught to “take him into the alley and kick his ass.”

[Amaris]

He had court today thursday at 1pm anyone hear anything yet??

[13]

I think Joan was his backup plan - if nothing better came along - or maybe if he could never get Gretchen, since everyone knows he's been crazy about her for years. JR has obviously never committed to Joan, or he would have made her a big part of his life instead of a long distance occasional girlfriend, and stayed away from other girls. He wanted to keep his options open. Now it seems his clock is ticking and he really wants kids, so he married her. With that kind of relationship I wouldn't expect her to have much influence with him. He's in total control. Even if she's not humble or meek, she's still no match for JR's dominant personality. If he wants to keep drinking, cheating, and fighting there's nothing she can do to stop him.

I just can't see why his family isn't doing something. His dad is a preacher! He can't be happy about JR's behavior and alcoholism. He respects his dad. He could make him listen, but his family doesn't seem to be getting involved, or they're taking JR's side on everything.

If he pays off Ashley there will be a line of people suing him for one thing or another. They will bleed him dry, especially since his reputation is so tarnished. Nobody will take his side. I keep waiting to hear more from that rocker guy in California. He seems to have a pretty good case too with the photos of his bloody face, and his claims that the fight was over a girl who wouldn't have sex with JR - it then being only 2 months before his wedding. I wonder how he explained that to his wife. Maybe she wasn't too inclined to protest his behavior when he was finally going to marry her. She won't stand up to him now and risk him leaving, she'll just keep quiet and watch things play out. Someone else who cares about him will have to get him the help he needs for his drinking.

[Amy]

i have to agree, JR is on a one-way dead end street. I saw the reaction of Bill Engvall's jokes were to the audience. It was really sad. On JR twitter though he takes it like a pro and laughs it off but you never know. He might care he might not. As for Joan, I just don't know. She has a business which makes her pretty smart she has to know the ropes to run with being self employed and what not. And being a "model" you get an idea of her self esteem and view of herself. Not many humble, meek models that own thier own businessess running around these days. So what can we say about her....No one knows anything really? what's her age, her past is a mystery, only rumours and speculation at this point really. But JR has gotten worse since the whole PROPOSAL. Remember he was out in trouble in LA around the time he supposedly got married and there were tons of people who thought he was linked to that BritChick since they were seen all over town including at jewelry stores. Whole buncha shit. In the end, JR is already settleing with Jared, he still has the LA case, the case with that Chance guy, all these little ones with the plagarism and bodyguards. He might lose everything...you never know maybe Joan is also waiting for a settlement. She stands to lose too. Its truly terrible but John is looking for this trouble himself, he's not just walking into it...he's running into it screaming. Hope it works out for him or he might just be filing for a chapter 11 backruptcy sooner than we think

[m]

I think marriage is just inconvenient for his preferred lifestyle. He likes drinking and fighting. Having a wife at home, someone he has to answer to, gets in the way of what he'd rather be doing. He spends so much time partying even with all his legal drama. He is still out every night. That's how he likes to live. He's just not husband material, aside from the alcoholism.

Does anyone know if John and Joan were living together before the wedding? Or has it always been a long distance thing? It seems that way, since he's always had other girls in Nashville. He probably is having a hard time adjusting to a live-in wife. It makes you wonder why she wasn't living with him before if they were heading towards marriage.I know she has a business in Houston, but she left it when they got married and could have sooner. You have to assume he just didn't want her there until they were married. Maybe so she couldn't interfere with his drinking and partying.

He seems to keep people at a distance he's comfortable with. I don't think he would listen if she told him he had a problem. He's too sure of himself. He's too much of a control freak. But still, she should at least try to do something. Standing by and doing nothing isn't helping him. You wouldn't even know he had a wife by the way he acts.

BTW Chris, Joan didn't use detachment when she dated him and married him knowing he's this way. Maybe she thought she could help more as his wife. Or maybe she was willing to marry him any chance she had and on his terms. Since we have to judge by their past and present behavior I'd say she knows she can't change him, won't try, and is just along for the ride at this point.

[Chris]

Yes. That's the problem. You can't make someone stop drinking or abusing just because you want them to. Only a co-dependent would think that they could "fix" somebody. That's what makes it co-dependancy. She would need to detach herself from him and his drinking and set boundaries. There are co-dependent behaviors that would make an alcoholic worse. Reacting to his drinking only fuels the alcoholic. A co-dependent has to work on themselves. By using detachment, she would either get him to stop drinking or...he will leave. Perhaps, that's what she IS doing. Maybe that's why he seems to be more out of control since getting married. Alcoholics need a co-dependent in order to stay in their alcoholism. June Carter was NOT a co-dependent, that's why she helped Johnny Cash. It always gets worse before it gets better...

[megan]

The joke was about JR and banks having to be bailed out this year. And another about him jokingly mentioning on Larry King that he might run for governor of Tennessee. I didn't think it was very friendly the way it was said by Bill Engvall and received by the audience. It gave me the impression that nobody takes him seriously anymore and sees him as a punchline. Not good for his image and career.

BTW- All Joan has to do is something. Anything really. She is a lame duck wife, and was a lame duck girlfriend. JR will keep going the way he is because the person who lives with him day-in and day-out, the one who actually COULD help influence him, won't put her foot down - basically she WON'T be like June Carter Cash.

June made Johnny sober up, and gave him the support he needed. What has Joan done in 8 years. She's definitely too weak for JR. He's out of his parents' house, it's not their responsibility. Now his wife needs to step up and act like a wife. JR doesn't know he's an alcoholic. How can he help himself?

Joan should be more involved. He's ruining her life too. It was bad enough that he cheated on her and kept her hidden while they were dating, now he's got all these legal/money problems in the beginning of their marriage. Who wants a husband in trouble all the time? I guess she just can't stand up to him.

[Chris]

Wow...no pressure for Joan...I see what y'all are saying, but really, the only person that can help John is John. Everybody has a bottom, he just hasn't hit his yet. Who can help him see himself the way he is? The chemical dependent mind just doesn't get it. All too often, women in Joan's situation are co-dependents...she may not know how to help him. If that's the case anyway. BTW, what was the joke on the CMT awards?

[julie]

What "other things" are JR rumored to be into besides alcohol? I've never heard of him doing drugs.

His wife shouldn't have married him if he had all these drug problems and she was afraid of him or had gave up on him. Nobody marries a violent addict without a reason. If she loved him she would have sobered him up some-how, some-way in 8 years - or ended it. If she won't help him and just watches while he ruins his life, then we know why she married him. Just proves she's after his money.

[leigh]

It's like the marriage set him off like dynamite. He's just gone insane in the past 6 months. What happened to settling down? If he has to rebel against it this much then it can't be helpful to him or his demons. Marriage should make a person feel safe, happy, and satisfied with life. John should not be reacting like he's miserable and losing control. It's not just the drinking. He's been an alcoholic for years.

The red flag is that they have dated for 8 years - she knows him better than anyone. If anyone was aware of John's alcoholism it's Joan. Why hasn't she done something to help him in 8 years? She's not his "great equalizer' or "his own personal June Carter Cash" like John has said. She isn't saving him. She's watching him crash and burn. She isn't responsible for his actions, but she sure as hell should do something to help him or she shouldn't have married him. It just makes me believe she is after his money.

I think it says so much about their relationship that John has hit near-bottom AFTER the marriage. While he was a bachelor he never got into this much trouble - even though he partied and had lots of girls and never stopped being wild. And he was a nicer person and more down to earth. People LIKED him. Now he's a running joke on the CMT Awards. It's a shame and a sad waste of talent.

[Chris]

I can really appreciate alot of the comments made here. Also, I agree, I've asked and wondered on several occassions about the whereabouts of his friends and family. His true friends...not "hangers on". Where are they? Is there not anyone that can reach this guy before he completely blows it? I do want John to do well in life, but he may have to fight a few of his demons before he can get to the good stuff.

[Jeannie]

I think his family needs to do an intervention with John.Get all the family together and talk some sence into him.John Rich is the one that got me into country music and I know that he has worked so hard for his dream and I would hate for him to crash and burn.Sure I dont like the things he has said or done but I still want the best for him.

[Amaris]

ever hear the song "addicted" by dan seals its on youtube. I hear this song and wonder about JR and his wife. You really think JR would even listen to her?? Come on JR doesn't answer to anyone..i doubt even to his dad. and if rumours are true and he's into things other than alcohol, i think that makes it even harder to confront someone you live with. He could go off on her and beat the hell outta her in a drunken stupor/rage. She might regret it, you really don't know. She might be worried or maybe she gave up already on him.
What makes me upset is that NO ONE, not his family or friends are saying anything. Not the officer that night at COCO Cafe, he could have given JR a ticket or citation or whatever. IF you give a child everything, how does that child usually grow up? spoiled. Nashville spoils or should i say THE WORLD spoils its celebrities.. and then wonders why the celebrites act like they are above the law. Now we have to watch all this unfold like a drama series of some sort. What will happen on next week's episode of "The John Rich Show"??

[emma]

I wonder what kind of settlement John Rich could afford. He isn't that rich, compared to say Tim McGraw, and he's spending alot on his new house and lavish lifestyle. $2.9 million isn't likely to be the number he pays, but with all the evidence and tapes he might just want Ashley to let it die before all that stuff is drug out even further.

His career can't take too much more of this before people really start to hate him, regardless of his talent. He's not so amazing a singer/songwriter/producer that he can't be replaced in country music. He'd just better start behaving himself if he wants to keep some respectability.

And going into rehab would definitely help. I still can't see how his wife hasn't tried to sober him up with all the trouble he's in, or at least kept him at home and out of the bars. I guess she's not too worried about him. Maybe she's just waiting for HER settlement later on.

[Amy]

wonder how much the settlement will be for and the extra little things to go with it? ya know like ... 5 million and ya'll can't be in the same room together for more than an hour. Ya know that kinda stuff.

how big is JR in Nashville? If half the articles on him are true, the guys a massive prick...how many friends could he possibly have that would be willing to get into all that drama with/for him?

wonder if someone will ever make him go to AA or anger management?

but i do agree wish they would take this to court and duke it out like good ol' american boys.

hey has anyone found the link to the 79 page affidavitts. I keep looking and no such luck

[Chris]

John Rich, if he has any sense, will not want this to go to court. I honestly think he would lose. Are video and audio considered hearsay? John Rich's career, IMHO, would not survive open court. Who would still be a fan of someone that acts and treats people in such a manner? Who would want to work with him? At the same time, I'm not so sure that John Rich would feel the need to behave himself if he were not completely exposed. I'm not so sure that his tendencies to harass others would cease either.

As far as John Rich having "power in Nashville", I think that is overestimating...just a tudge.

[Charles Murphy]

Hell with a settlement. I wanna see these two..Count 'em TWO...egomaniacal morons battle it out in court. I don't think Jared Ashley has a case on hearsay and John Rich has enough power in Nashville to crush that idiot...BUT...that would expose John Rich for the controlling Nepoleanic idiot that he is.
This is just a match made in heaven. Let the gloves come off and let's all hear this crap in open court like it was supposed to be heard.