Nick Carter recordsdata countersuit towards ‘opportunist’ sexual assault accusers – Nationwide

Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter has filed a countersuit towards two ladies who’ve accused the singer of sexually assaulting them greater than 15 years in the past.

Within the countersuit, filed on Thursday in Nevada, Carter, 43, describes his accusers as “opportunists” who’re making the most of the #MeToo motion to “defame and vilify” him for monetary acquire.

Carter is looking for US$2.3 million in damages — the quantity the singer claims he misplaced in missed enterprise alternatives on account of a December 2022 lawsuit filed by a co-defendant who accused Carter of rape.

Within the unique lawsuit, Shannon (Shay) Ruth mentioned Carter invited her onto a tour bus after a live performance in Tacoma, Wash., when she was 17 years outdated. She claims Carter gave her alcohol and compelled her to carry out oral intercourse earlier than he raped her. Ruth additionally alleges that she contracted HPV from Carter.

Throughout a December press convention, Ruth mentioned Carter shouldn’t be excused for his alleged crime as a result of he’s a celeb. On the time, Carter denied the accusations.

“Carter is not going to permit himself to be smeared on this manner,” the singer’s new countersuit reads. “Defending one’s fame and identify by calling a liar a liar isn’t sufferer blaming or bullying. It’s merely telling the reality.”

In an e mail assertion to Billboard, Ruth’s lawyer Mike Boskovich, mentioned, “Why ought to Nick Carter be believed together with his lengthy historical past of abusing females. A jury will weigh the proof and determine.”

Melissa Schuman, a former member of the woman group Dream, can also be named in Carter’s countersuit. In 2017, Schuman accused Carter of sexually assaulting her in 2003 when the pair collaborated on a movie mission. Schuman’s father, Jerome, can also be named within the counterclaim.

Carter claims the Schumans “groomed and coached” Ruth to imagine she was raped by Carter.

His countersuit claims Ruth, who lives with autism and cerebral palsy, “was a weak and extremely impressionable particular person, craving consideration and determined to slot in.”

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Nick Carter fights again tears as Backstreet Boys pay tribute to late brother Aaron Carter

Carter’s complaints towards Ruth and the Schumans additionally allege they illegally conspired towards him and used his late brother Aaron Carter as a instrument to legitimize their allegations. The youthful Carter brother, who died in November, had publicly supported Ruth and Schuman’s claims, however later withdrew his endorsement.

“The Schumans’ timing couldn’t have been higher since, on the time, Aaron was hooked on medication, battling severe psychological well being points, and engaged in a misguided marketing campaign of retaliation towards Carter and different members of his household who had been nervous about Aaron and pushing him to hunt skilled assist,” the criticism reads.

“Within the months main as much as his latest demise, Aaron not solely apologized to Carter for his involvement within the counter-defendants’ smear marketing campaign, however publicly said that Schuman and Ruth had been liars.”

The proprietor of the Twitter account @ElaineModo can also be listed as a defendant within the countersuit. Carter, by means of his attorneys, claimed the account is probably going managed by Ruth and the Schumans and is used to defame him on-line.

When information of Ruth’s lawsuit broke in December, ABC determined it could now not air the Backstreet Boys’ Christmas particular. Carter’s lawsuit claims he additionally misplaced paid contracts with MeUndies, VRBO and Roblox.

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For those who or somebody you already know is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive state of affairs, please go to the Canadian Useful resource Centre for Victims of Crime for assist. They’re additionally reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.

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