Nick Carter files countersuit against ‘opportunist’ sexual assault accusers – National | 24CA News

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

In the countersuit, filed on Thursday in Nevada, Carter, 43, describes his accusers as “opportunists” who’re benefiting from the #MeToo motion to “defame and vilify” him for monetary achieve.

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

In the unique lawsuit, Shannon (Shay) Ruth stated Carter invited her onto a tour bus after a live performance in Tacoma, Wash., when she was 17 years outdated.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.

During a December press convention, Ruth stated Carter shouldn’t be excused for his alleged crime as a result of he’s a star. At the time, Carter denied the accusations.

“Carter will not allow himself to be smeared in this way,” the singer’s new countersuit reads. “Protecting one’s reputation and name by calling a liar a liar is not victim blaming or bullying. It is simply telling the truth.”

In an electronic mail assertion to Billboard, Ruth’s lawyer Mike Boskovich, stated, “Why should Nick Carter be believed with his long history of abusing females. A jury will weigh the evidence and decide.”

Melissa Schuman, a former member of the lady 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 venture. 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 vulnerable and highly impressionable individual, craving attention and desperate to fit in.”

1:57Nick 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 better since, at the time, Aaron was addicted to drugs, battling serious mental health issues, and engaged in a misguided campaign of retaliation against Carter and other members of his family who were worried about Aaron and pushing him to seek professional help,” the criticism reads.

“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 stated that Schuman and Ruth were liars.”

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

When news of Ruth’s lawsuit broke in December, ABC determined it will 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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If you or somebody you recognize is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive state of affairs, please go to the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime for assist. They are additionally reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.

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