Nick Carter’s defamation lawsuit towards a rape accuser is allowed to proceed shifting forwards, says a decide in a brand new ruling.
The Nevada decide dominated on Tuesday (November 26) that the Backstreet Boys singer can proceed along with his counterclaim towards Shannon “Shay” Ruth, who filed a civil lawsuit in 2022, alleging that the singer raped her on a tour bus in 2001, when she was 17-year-old.
Ruth claimed that Carter handed her a drink which she believes contained a mixture of cranberry juice and alcohol, earlier than attacking her on the bus. She added that the alleged incident befell when he picked her out of a line of followers searching for an autograph after a live performance.
Carter has repeatedly denied all accusations, whereas his legal professional branded them “legally meritless” and “totally unfaithful”. He went on to file a counter-suit towards Ruth, accusing her of defamation.
Now, in line with paperwork obtained by Individuals, Nevada Supreme Court docket decide Nancy L. Allf has dominated that Ruth’s anti-SLAPP movement towards Carter’s countersuit has been denied as a result of she “did not fulfill her burden”.
“Our decision of this enchantment has been hindered by Ruth’s failure to determine with specificity any of the statements that kind the premise of Ruth’s anti-SLAPP movement,” the submitting learn. “We due to this fact conclude that any statements on which Carter’s counterclaims relies that aren’t particularly addressed on this order don’t warrant reversal of the district court docket’s order.”
An analogous ruling was made again in March 2023 too, when a decide confirmed that Carter may pursue a countersuit towards Ruth.
Alongside accusations made by Ruth, Carter was additionally accused of assaulting Melissa Schuman, former member of the band Dream, who initially filed a police report in 2017. Nick responded to the allegations, saying he was “shocked and saddened” as he believed their encounter was “consensual”.
Nick has countersued each Ruth and Schuman for defamation.
A third accuser with the initials A.R. additionally sued the singer in 2023, submitting a lawsuit in Las Vegas that claimed Nick raped her when she was 15. She claimed the incidents occurred a number of occasions on a yacht and as soon as on the again of a tour bus in 2003 when Carter was 23, in line with Billboard.
On the time, Carter’s lawyer, Dale Hayes Jr, shared an announcement studying: “Repeating the identical false allegations in a brand new authorized grievance doesn’t make them any extra true. Nick is trying ahead to the proof being offered and the reality about these malicious schemes coming to gentle.”
As for his counterclaim towards Ruth, Carter offers proof disputing her declare. A number of witnesses, together with Backstreet Boys’ safety, declare the band shortly returned to their 4 Seasons Resort in Seattle after the live performance the place Ruth was allegedly ready in line for an autograph. His workforce additionally claimed that no such line existed.
“It could be inconceivable for any fan to be alone with any of the band members on their tour bus,” the submitting states.
Susan Riggs – a buddy of the band and Carter on the time – beforehand testified that she “personally noticed Carter exit the venue, board his tour bus and instantly drive away.” Moreover, fan Ashley Giant, who went to a meet-and-greet previous to the present, claims there was no autograph line after the present (as per Individuals).
It is a growing story.
