Anti-Flag’s Justin Sane ordered to pay sexual assault accuser $1.9 million
Justin Sane, the former frontman of punk band Anti-Flag, has been ordered to pay $1.9 million to Kristina Sarhadi after she filed a sexual assault lawsuit against him.
Sarhadi came forward with her accusations against Sane, real name Justin Geever, in July 2023, which she alleged took place at a house party in 2010. While he wasn’t named directly, it soon became clear that the allegations were aimed at Geever, and as a result, Anti-Flag disbanded.
At the time, the other members of the group issued a joint statement, writing, “A core tenet of the band Anti-Flag is to listen to and believe all survivors of sexual violence and abuse. The recent allegations about Justin are in direct contradiction to that tenet. Therefore, we felt the only immediate option was to disband.”
Meanwhile, Geever denied the allegations and labelled Sarhadi’s claims as “categorically false”.
In November 2023, Sarhadi filed her lawsuit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, accusing Geever of sexual assault and battery. Chief US District Judge Brenda K Sannes awarded her a default settlement of $1,170,800 and an additional $750,000 of punitive damages on July 22nd, 2025.
Geever never formally responded to the lawsuit filed in 2023. Sarhadi’s attorney, John McAllister, claimed last April that he was “fully aware” of the case and “has transferred his assets out of the country”. McAllister also claimed that Geever, who holds dual Irish citizenship, “plans to or already has fled the United States”.
In a statement issued to Rolling Stone, Sarhadi wrote following the court ruling: “Judge Sannes’ careful decision in my case feels like a beacon of hope in a time of emboldened misogyny and unchecked power. While every survivor knows there is no appropriate compensation for the harms we’ve suffered, I am indescribably grateful for the opportunity to be witnessed and the validation of being believed.”
Sarhadi continued: “Geever’s silence, absence, and cowardice simply prove what I have known privately for 15 years: There are no heroes. Not all who have the stage deserve the spotlight. And there are helpers, supporters, and allies all around us, if we find the courage to use our voice.”
She then stated that she will “likely spend another decade or two repairing and recovering my life”, before adding, “I’m proud of every person who has used this moment to give their shame back to their perpetrator, proud of myself for not backing down, and humbled by the solidarity of survivors on every continent.”
Sarhadi concluded: “I am no longer heartbroken by Geever’s betrayal. I’m enraged that patterns of abuse like his continue to escalate in every arena, and more determined than ever to expose and disrupt them.”
Geever is yet to comment on the court ruling.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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