Nick Carter files countersuit against ‘opportunistic’ sexual assault accusers – National

Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter has filed a countersuit against two women who accused the singer of sexually assaulting them more than 15 years ago.

In the countersuit, filed Thursday in Nevada, Carter, 43, describes his accusers as “opportunists” who take advantage of the #MeToo movement to “vilify and vilify” him for financial gain.

Carter is seeking $2.3 million in damages — the amount the singer claims he lost in missed business opportunities following a lawsuit filed in December 2022 by a co-defendant who accused Carter of rape.

In the original lawsuit, Shannon (Shay) Ruth said Carter invited her on a tour bus after a gig in Tacoma, Washington when she was 17. She claims that Carter gave her alcohol and forced her to perform oral sex before raping her. Ruth also alleges that she contracted HPV from Carter.

At a press conference in December, Ruth said Carter should not be excused for his alleged crime because he is a celebrity. At the time, Carter denied the charges.

“Carter won’t get smeared in this way,” reads the singer’s new countersuit. “Protecting one’s reputation and name by calling a liar a liar is not blaming or intimidating the victim. It’s just telling the truth. »

In an emailed statement to Billboard, Ruth’s attorney, Mike Boskovich, said, “Why should anyone believe Nick Carter with his long history of abusing women. A jury will weigh the evidence and decide.

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Melissa Schuman, a former member of girl group Dream, is also named in Carter’s countersuit. In 2017, Schuman accused Carter of sexually assaulting her in 2003 when the couple collaborated on a film project. Schuman’s father, Jérôme, is also named in the counterclaim.

Carter claims the Schumans “groomed and trained” Ruth to believe she was raped by Carter.

His countersuit claims that Ruth, who lives with autism and cerebral palsy, “was a vulnerable and very impressionable person, eager for attention and desperate to fit in.”

Carter’s complaints against Ruth and the Schumans also allege that they unlawfully conspired against him and used his late brother Aaron Carter as a tool to legitimize their claims. Younger brother Carter, who died in November, had publicly supported Ruth and Schuman’s claims, but later withdrew his endorsement.

“The Schumans’ timing could not have been better because, at the time, Aaron was addicted to drugs, battling serious mental health issues and engaged in a misguided retaliatory campaign against Carter and other members of his family who were concerned about Aaron and pushing him to seek professional help,” the complaint read.

“In the months leading up to his recent death, Aaron not only apologized to Carter for his involvement in the counter-defendants’ smear campaign, but publicly declared Schuman and Ruth to be liars.”

Twitter account owner @ElaineModo is also listed as a defendant in the countersuit. Carter, through his lawyers, claimed the account was likely controlled by Ruth and the Schumans and was being used to defame him online.

When news of Ruth’s lawsuit broke in December, ABC decided to stop airing the Backstreet Boys’ Christmas special. Carter’s lawsuit claims he also lost paid contracts with MeUndies, VRBO, and Roblox.

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If you or someone you know is being abused or involved in a violent situation, please visit the Canadian Resource Center for Victims of Crime for help. They can also be reached toll free at 1-877-232-2610.

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