Report: Nashville Publicist Kirt Webster Created Culture of Fear

Kirt Webster

Prominent Nashville publicist Kirt Webster, whose clients have included Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Kid Rock, abruptly stepped away from his firm Wednesday amid swirling accusations of sexual assault and harassment, according to The Tennessean.

Days after former Webster client and onetime aspiring country singer Austin C. Rick accused the Music City executive of drugging and assaulting him, 10 former employees of Webster PR described a culture of consistent workplace abuse and harassment.

The ex-employees requested anonymity for fear of personal and professional repercussions.

Metro Nashville police are looking into the allegations pertaining to Rick, said spokeswoman Kris Mumford.

Webster's alleged behavior includes trading explicit photographs for passes to meet-and-greet sessions with Parton, unwanted touching, and unleashing vulgar nicknames during company meetings.

“There was so much verbal and emotional abuse,” one female former employee said. “I witnessed some of the worst behavior you can imagine."

In a statement, Webster, who has spent more than two decades representing some of Nashville's biggest stars, described his contact with Rick as consensual.

Webster is stepping away from his company to fight the "egregious and untrue allegations" from Rick, according to a different statement. A spokeswoman did not immediately respond to questions about allegations of workplace sexual harassment.