Former girlfriend claims months of psychological and physical abuse culminating in violent attack
In a shocking development that adds to his mounting legal troubles, controversial social media personality Andrew Tate has been accused of sexual assault and physical abuse by his former girlfriend, model Brianna Stern. The allegations come in the form of a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, where Ms. Stern claims she endured both physical and emotional mistreatment over 10 months. The lawsuit, which also seeks a restraining order against Tate, was first reported by The Independent.
According to court documents obtained by multiple news outlets, Ms. Stern alleges that a particularly violent incident occurred this March at the Beverly Hills Motel. What allegedly began as a consensual encounter quickly escalated into something far more sinister.
“Tate began verbally degrading Plaintiff as he routinely did — but this time it was much worse, more aggressive, and more violent. Tate then began to choke Plaintiff (Stern),” the lawsuit states in graphic detail.
The court filings paint a disturbing picture of what followed. Ms. Stern reportedly cried and pleaded for Tate to stop, but he allegedly continued choking her until she nearly lost consciousness. The lawsuit further claims that he struck her repeatedly while issuing explicit threats against her life.
“While doing so, Tate told her repeatedly that if she ever crossed him, he was going to kill her,” according to the court documents.
Following the alleged assault, Ms. Stern sought medical treatment and was subsequently diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. She reportedly filed the lawsuit after Tate departed from the United States.
In a powerful statement shared on her Instagram account, Ms. Stern explained her difficult journey toward taking legal action:
“The entire situation is very traumatic and extremely difficult. I considered many times just silently leaving Andrew and saying nothing, doing nothing, because I was scared, and it was honestly hard for me to accept that I was being abused. But I can now see that doing so would be the cowardly approach.”
A pattern of alleged abuse and control
The lawsuit doesn’t just focus on a single incident. It outlines what Ms. Stern describes as a broader pattern of emotional abuse and manipulation that characterized their relationship from early on.
According to Ms. Stern’s account, she first met Tate in 2024 after traveling to Romania for a modeling assignment. She claims she was initially drawn to what appeared to be his generosity but alleges that his behavior soon took a controlling and abusive turn. In her testimony, she describes how Tate would frequently refer to her as his “property.”
In one of their final interactions, Ms. Stern recounts a particularly chilling exchange: “The last time I saw Andrew was on March 11, 2025, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The last words he said to me before I left the hotel were, ‘Shut the f*ck up, bitch. You will never backtalk me. You are my property,” she stated.
Tate’s legal team responds
Tate’s legal representatives have categorically denied the accusations. His attorney, Joseph McBride, suggested that the claims were financially motivated rather than based on fact.
“We stand ready to defend Andrew fiercely in court, where the truth will expose this baseless scheme. Instead of seeking a private resolution, Ms. Stern has chosen to air her false claims in the press, revealing her true motives: money and attention, not justice,” McBride told The Independent.
A growing list of legal troubles
This civil suit represents just the latest in a series of legal challenges facing the controversial influencer. Tate is currently entangled in legal proceedings across multiple countries:
- Earlier this week, he reported to a police station in Romania following his return to the country. Tate and his brother, Tristan, had recently traveled to the United States on a private jet after restrictions on their movement related to a human trafficking investigation were temporarily lifted.
- In Romania, the brothers face multiple serious charges, including human trafficking, sexual relations with a minor, and money laundering. A separate case involving allegations that they formed a criminal organization to sexually exploit women has been referred back to prosecutors for further development.
- Additionally, Tate is set to be extradited to the United Kingdom, where authorities in Bedfordshire have issued a European arrest warrant. This warrant relates to allegations of rape and human trafficking dating back to the period between 2012 and 2015.
As this civil case proceeds through the American legal system, it adds yet another dimension to the complex web of allegations surrounding one of social media’s most polarizing figures.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline