Nick Carter Loses Two Key Rulings in Sex Assault Lawsuits

Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter Faces Legal Setbacks in Rape Cases

A Nevada judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter against Ashley Repp, the accuser who alleges that Carter raped her on a yacht in 2003 when she was 15 years old. This ruling comes as a blow to Carter, who has been facing multiple legal challenges related to allegations of sexual assault.

The Allegations

In August 2023, Repp filed a lawsuit against Carter, alleging that he had sex with her in 2003 while she was intoxicated and a guest at his family’s compound in Marathon, Florida. Carter countersued Repp with defamation claims in January, claiming that she had told him she was 18 years old at the time of their encounter. However, Judge Joe Hardy Jr. ruled that Carter had no grounds to go after Repp for calling him a "rapist" because their sexual interaction met the standard for statutory rape under Florida law.

The Ruling

At a hearing in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Judge Hardy said that Carter had no evidence to support his claims that Repp was deceitful. He also stated that Carter’s arguments about Repp’s alleged deceit were "irrelevant" to her motion to dismiss the defamation countersuit. The judge ruled that Carter could use those claims to attack Repp’s credibility if her lawsuit goes to trial.

Another Accuser’s Lawsuit

In a related ruling, Judge Hardy also shot down Carter’s attempt to get the sexual battery lawsuit filed by another accuser, Shannon Ruth, thrown out. Ruth claims that Carter sexually assaulted her on a tour bus in February 2001 after a concert in Tacoma, Washington. Carter’s lawyer argued that Ruth’s allegations were factually impossible, but Judge Hardy disagreed, stating that "genuine issues of material fact" remained.

Carter’s Defamation Lawsuit

In a separate development, Carter has countersued another accuser, Melissa Schuman, for defamation in California. Schuman, a former member of the pop group DREAM, alleges that Carter drugged and raped her at his Santa Monica apartment in 2003, when she was 17. Carter denies the claim. Before countersuing Schuman, Carter also sued her for defamation along with Ruth and Repp in Nevada.

Reactions

Repp’s lawyer, Mark Boskovich, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating that "Ms. Ruth is pleased she will be able to show the truth to the jury." Schuman, who is also an accuser of Carter, said in a statement to Rolling Stone that "Nick Carter is a violent sexual predator who tries to attack and intimidate his survivors when they speak out. I’m not afraid of his aggressive tactics and lies."

Conclusion

Nick Carter’s legal woes continue to mount as he faces multiple lawsuits related to allegations of sexual assault. The Nevada judge’s ruling dismissing his defamation lawsuit against Ashley Repp is a significant setback for Carter, and it remains to be seen how he will respond to the ongoing legal challenges.

FAQs

Q: What is the nature of the allegations against Nick Carter?
A: Multiple women have accused Nick Carter of sexual assault, including allegations of rape and statutory rape.

Q: What is the outcome of the defamation lawsuit filed by Nick Carter against Ashley Repp?
A: A Nevada judge has dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that Carter had no grounds to go after Repp for calling him a "rapist" because their sexual interaction met the standard for statutory rape under Florida law.

Q: What is the outcome of the sexual battery lawsuit filed by Shannon Ruth against Nick Carter?
A: Judge Hardy has denied Carter’s motion to get the lawsuit thrown out, stating that "genuine issues of material fact" remain.

Q: What is the status of Nick Carter’s defamation lawsuit against Melissa Schuman?
A: Carter has countersued Schuman for defamation in California, alleging that she has made false and defamatory statements about him.