Nick Carter’s defamation lawsuit against a rape accuser is allowed to continue moving forwards, says a judge in a new ruling.
The Nevada judge ruled on Tuesday (November 26) that the Backstreet Boys singer can proceed with his counterclaim against 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 mix of cranberry juice and alcohol, before attacking her on the bus. She added that the alleged incident took place when he picked her out of a line of fans seeking an autograph after a concert.
Carter has repeatedly denied all accusations, while his attorney branded them “legally meritless” and “entirely untrue”. He went on to file a counter-suit against Ruth, accusing her of defamation.
Now, according to documents obtained by People, Nevada Supreme Court judge Nancy L. Allf has ruled that Ruth’s anti-SLAPP motion against Carter’s countersuit has been denied because she “failed to satisfy her burden”.
Nick Carter performs on stage in 2024. CREDIT: Iwi Onodera/Redferns/Getty Images
“Our resolution of this appeal has been hindered by Ruth’s failure to identify with specificity any of the statements that form the basis of Ruth’s anti-SLAPP motion,” the filing read. “We therefore conclude that any statements on which Carter’s counterclaims is based that are not specifically addressed in this order do not warrant reversal of the district court’s order.”
A similar ruling was made back in March 2023 too, when a judge confirmed that Carter could pursue a countersuit against Ruth.
Alongside accusations made by Ruth, Carter was also accused of assaulting Melissa Schuman, former member of the band Dream, who originally 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 both Ruth and Schuman for defamation.
A third accuser with the initials A.R. also sued the singer in 2023, filing a lawsuit in Las Vegas that claimed Nick raped her when she was 15. She claimed the incidents happened multiple times on a yacht and once on the back of a tour bus in 2003 when Carter was 23, according to Billboard.
At the time, Carter’s lawyer, Dale Hayes Jr, shared a statement reading: “Repeating the same false allegations in a new legal complaint doesn’t make them any more true. Nick is looking forward to the evidence being presented and the truth about these malicious schemes coming to light.”
Nick Carter performs on stage in 2024. CREDIT: Iwi Onodera/Redferns/Getty Images
As for his counterclaim against Ruth, Carter provides evidence disputing her claim. Several witnesses, including Backstreet Boys’ security, claim the band quickly returned to their Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle after the concert where Ruth was allegedly waiting in line for an autograph. His team also claimed that no such line existed.
“It would be impossible for any fan to be alone with any of the band members on their tour bus,” the filing states.
Susan Riggs – a friend of the band and Carter at the time – previously testified that she “personally observed Carter exit the venue, board his tour bus and immediately drive away.” Additionally, fan Ashley Large, who went to a meet-and-greet prior to the show, claims there was no autograph line after the show (as per People).
This is a developing story.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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