Gospel singer Stacie Orrico has filed a lawsuit against her former manager, alleging that he subjected her to sexual abuse when she was a minor and that executives connected to her record label failed to intervene.
Orrico, who rose to prominence as a Christian music artist, claims in the suit that her former manager, Britt Ham, began acting inappropriately toward her when she was just 14 years old.
According to the filing, Stacie Orrico says Ham isolated her from her parents under the pretense of daily Bible study sessions, during which he allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct.
She says he pressured her to keep the encounters secret, telling her that speaking out would damage her Christian image.
Orrico alleges that during a trip to Los Angeles in July 2001 for concert rehearsals, Ham instructed her to come to his hotel room, where he allegedly kissed her and touched her in ways she describes as sexual . She further claims he engaged in additional inappropriate acts during that visit.
Stacie Orrico says similar incidents occurred again the following month at the same hotel. She also alleges that when she was 17, in 2003, Ham engaged in penetrative sex with her.
The lawsuit alleges that other individuals associated with her career were aware of the situation.
Orrico claims that Greg Ham, an executive with Electric and Music Industries (EMI), told her parents that she and Britt Ham were engaging in inappropriate physical contact, and later told police he knew they were involved in an unhealthy relationship.
She also alleges that another executive, Eddie DeGarmo, acknowledged knowing about the conduct in 2002 but blamed her and warned that the situation could harm her career.
EMI was later acquired by Universal Music Group, which is why the company is named in the lawsuit.
Stacie Orrico is suing for childhood sexual abuse, sexual battery, negligence, and other related claims.