Conor Oberst addresses rape accuser’s retraction

On Monday, a North Carolina woman retracted her claims and apologized for accusing the singer-songwriter Conor Oberst of raping her after a 2003 concert.

Joan Elizabeth Harris, who wrote as “Joanie Faircloth,� made the accusations in the comments section of an XO Jane article a year ago, where they quickly spread on Tumblr.

“The statements I made and repeated online and elsewhere over the past six months accusing Conor Oberst of raping me are 100% false,� she wrote in a notarized letter. “I publicly retract my statements about Conor Oberst, and sincerely apologize to him, his family, and his fans for writing such awful things about him.�

Now Oberst has officially responded to the letter, and accepted her apology.

“I have accepted Joanie Faircloth’s apology and retraction to clear my name,� Oberst wrote in a statement. “This has been extremely difficult and stressful for me personally and for those I love. I’m appreciative of the family, friends, fans, and business partners who supported me throughout this and look forward to happier times as we all move forward with our lives.�

The founding Bright Eyes member had always vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “absolutely, unequivocally false� in a prior statement. But the yearlong spread of the rumor did cast somewhat of a pall over the release of his acclaimed new album “Upside Down Mountain.�

Reps for Oberst could not confirm if Oberst’s reported $1-million defamation lawsuit against Harris would still go forward. Oberst had said any winnings would go to charities combating violence against women.

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