Ricky Garcia, a member of the 2010s boy band Forever in Your Mind, was under the management of producer Joby Harte, who secured a Disney deal for the group, encompassing both a TV show and music.
As the band’s popularity surged and they began touring, Garcia’s mother entrusted Harte with her son’s well-being. Harte assisted with their living expenses, covering rent and bills, which, according to Garcia, led to a blurring of personal and professional boundaries.
The band, along with Harte, traveled to Catalina for a week dedicated to music work, during which Harte provided them with alcohol. Other band members recalled seeing Harte escort Garcia into a bathroom and lock the door behind them.
Garcia recounted, “It was my first time getting blackout drunk. I was in and out of a daze. When I woke up in Catalina, I was completely naked under the covers, and Joby came in the room, smirking at me like it was a funny thing. I came to find out that Joby bathed me.” He had no recollection of the event and expressed that Harte could have “done anything.”
The incidents persisted. Garcia noted, “I liked the party lifestyle — I’d get sick, and he’d say, ‘OK, you can take a shower,’” describing how Harte would join him in the shower under the guise of being ‘buddy-buddy.’ However, there were moments when Harte would inappropriately touch him. Garcia felt paralyzed, uncertain how to respond and reluctant to create an uncomfortable situation, so he complied.
Garcia remained silent about the experiences until Alli Nadine, the band’s talent management assistant, suspected something was amiss. After some persuasion, Garcia confided in her. He later confronted Harte at his home, accusing him, “You molested me.”
In 2019, Garcia filed a civil suit against Harte, unable to pursue a criminal case due to insufficient evidence. The case proceeded to court in 2024. Harte contended that Garcia’s allegations were a result of coercion by Nadine, who was allegedly disgruntled over her dismissal and seeking monetary compensation. Harte was found guilty and was ordered to pay Garcia $6 million. However, Garcia reported not receiving any payment, attributing this to Harte’s bankruptcy filing before the trial.
Garcia and Nadine married in 2023 and are expecting their first child together.
