Nick Carter Files $2.5M Countersuit On Rape Accuser
Recently, Backstreet Boys alum, Nick Carter addressed an open claim about sexual assault by hitting back with a countersuit for $2.5 million. This comes in response to a case with allegations from Melissa Schuman from over a year ago.
Nick Carter Fights For His Career
While Backstreet Boys singer, Nick Carter has taken steps to release music on his own, now Melissa Schuman’s allegations threaten to tarnish his career. Sadly, Nick’s family has seen some sad times. He has lost three siblings at very young ages. Furthermore, his brother, Aaron Carter’s passing was in 2022, and then his sister, Bobbie Jean Carter in 2023. Undeniably, 2023 was a difficult year for Nick. Not only did he lose a sibling at the end of the year, but he was also dealing with charges from Melissa from April 2023 for sexual assault and battery.
Nick Carter Files $2.5M Countersuit On Rape Accuser
Melissa Schuman’s accusations were that Nick Carter, 44, brought her back to his Santa Monica, CA apartment in 2003. It was allegedly after both were filming the teen thriller, The Hollow. Furthermore, she claims Nick gave her a sedative before sexually assaulting her. At the time, Nick was 22 and Melissa was 18. Nick and Melissa had other strands in common. Like Nick’s Backstree Boys, boy band experience, Melissa was the lead singer of the ’90s all-girl group, Dream, which formed in 1998. Although she filed the claim in April 2023, she had previously stated the allegations on her blog in 2017. Additionally, she says that she tried to come forward soon, but her manager, Nils Larsen felt Nick “had the most powerful ligitor in the country.”
Her blog post came out during the big #MeToo movement. In like fashion, she had multiple interviews stating similar claims. However, now more than a year after Melissa filed, Nick is countersuing her for $2.5 million.
He Rejects The Allegations
In Nick Carter’s counterclaim, he asserts that Melissa Schuman was trying to defame him. Further stating that she named him as a rapist on her social media. Likewise, he also says she made claims in a documentary and press conference during the timeframe from September 2023 to May 2024. Additionally, he believes her efforts of dragging his name through the dirt are to rejuvenate her “dwindling career.”
According to his countersuit, Nick believes Melissa is acting “with a specific intent to damage Carter’s reputation and interfere with his business opportunities, advantages and contracts.” Furthermore, Nick is devotedly denying “each and every” accusation presented in Melissa’s case. Similarly, he says she “fails to state facts.” Additionally, he is calling for barment by the statute of limitations and the “unclean hands doctrine.” According to Westlaw Today, the doctrine is “an equitable defense that bars relief to a party who has engaged in inequitable behavior.”
Furthermore, the court documents show that Nick Carter believes Melissa Schuman’s case wasn’t brought with pure motives. His lawyer states, “Carter did not sexually assault” and also denies any attempt to “cover up” her accusations.
Second Countersuit
Previously, in December 2022, Nick Carter was also sued for alleged sexual battery by Shannon Ruth. Furthermore, he also filed a countersuit against her in Nevada. She claims the incident took place on a tour bus in 2001. In May he filed a motion for Ruth’s case and said it was “factually impossible” for him to have assaulted her. In the motion, he was asking for a summary judgment on Ruth’s claims “for sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.” Additionally, he named Melissa Schuman in that countercase as well.
After Nick Carter’s countersuit, Melissa’s attorney Karen Barth Menzies responded, “Carter’s California counter-claim makes the same arguments as his stalled Nevada lawsuit, and both show that his approach to defend sexual assault claims is to attack the victims.”
What do you think? Who do you believe in with these allegations? Do you think Nick Carter’s intentions were bad? Is Melissa Schuman telling the truth or attempting to defame Nick? Drop your comments below.
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