Joe Carnahan, Director of ‘The Rip,’ Hit With Shocking Sexual Battery Lawsuit From Ex-Partner

Joe Carnahan, the director known for films like The Rip, The Grey, and The A-Team, is facing serious allegations from his former partner, Michelle Crosby. Crosby, a lawyer and former film producer, has filed a lawsuit accusing Carnahan of s**** battery, assault, and stalking during their four-year relationship. The claims were submitted as a cross-complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court, in response to a lawsuit Carnahan filed over a Porsche he says Crosby damaged.

Crosby says their relationship began in 2020 after meeting Carnahan at a Palm Springs hotel. She alleges that over time, the relationship became abusive. In the court documents, Crosby claims that in 2024 an encounter at an Indian Wells hotel “turned violent when Carnahan suddenly yanked her hair as she screamed for him to stop.” She also says he repeatedly assaulted her in his Sierra Madre home, including grabbing her by the throat and slamming her to the floor.

“This was monstrous behavior by a Hollywood director that should not be left unchallenged,” Crosby said. “These grave matters demand accountability.”

Crosby’s legal filings include claims of battery, s**** battery, assault, stalking, defamation, and breach of contract regarding a production company they had discussed starting together. She is seeking unspecified damages, including at least $3 million for luxury fashion items she says Carnahan stole from her.

Law enforcement has reviewed some of the allegations, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Riverside County prosecutors received a claim of s**** battery in July 2025 but declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence. Another report was submitted recently but also will not be pursued. Crosby has additionally contacted Los Angeles prosecutors regarding alleged stalking, though charges were again not filed.

Carnahan strongly denies all allegations. His attorney, Wendy Slavkin, said, “This was a completely consensual relationship which ended in Spring 2024 and since then the other party has consistently threatened Joe with exactly what you’re reading now – the threat to attack Joe publicly when his film was released.” Carnahan’s team also says the claims were dismissed in July 2025 and that he has had no contact with Crosby outside of court proceedings since May of that year.

The timing of Crosby’s lawsuit has raised questions, as it came shortly before the Netflix release of Carnahan’s latest film, The Rip, starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. A spokesperson for Carnahan says the filing was intentionally timed to coincide with the film’s publicity.

Crosby claims that after moving into Carnahan’s home in Los Angeles in 2023, the alleged abuse escalated. She says that he physically attacked her multiple times, including incidents that required her to seek psychiatric care for post-traumatic stress. She also alleges harassment, including surveillance and threatening messages.

Carnahan, through his representative, maintains that the relationship was consensual and that Crosby has made repeated false claims against him. In a statement, his team said he is committed to resolving the matter legally and protecting his children, and hopes Crosby seeks help for her issues.

This case highlights the challenges of accountability in Hollywood relationships that involve both personal and professional connections. Crosby’s lawyer, James Daly, told The Hollywood Reporter that “These are not mere accusations; they describe a monstrous abuse of power by a prominent Hollywood figure now enjoying renewed success with the release of The Rip on Netflix.”