Country singer John Rich charged with assault

Country star John Rich is charged with assault and harassment in an ongoing dispute with a former "Nashville Star" contestant.

Rich says in a statement Thursday that he turned himself in to Nashville police to face the charges filed by Jared Ashley, a contestant during the fourth season of the TV show on the USA network.

The 35-year-old was charged with two misdemeanor counts of assault and one misdemeanor count of harassment. He was released on $3,000 bond.

In April, Rich sued Ashley, saying the aspiring singer defamed him by claiming Rich hit him in the face. Rich says the charges are false and he rejected a settlement offer to pay $2.9 million to have them dropped.

Rich is part of the duo Big & Rich. His latest solo hit is "Shuttin' Detroit Down."

This is what is wrong with the country, two misdemeanor counts of assault (allegedly) and the guy is suing for $2.9 million? It's ridiculous! Seems everyone is looking for an easy buck these days, even when they didn't earn it like by frivilous law suit.

but that's only my opinion.