Nick Carter Seeks to Add Sexual Assault Accuser’s Mother to Defamation Lawsuit
A judge will soon rule on whether Nick Carter can add Leisha Stinson, the mother of his sexual assault accuser Melissa Schuman, as a defendant in his ongoing defamation and extortion lawsuit. The Backstreet Boys star alleges Stinson operated an anonymous Twitter account used to disseminate damaging false statements about him, according to court filings revealed on Thursday, November 13.
Carter’s legal team recently deposed Jerome Schuman, Melissa’s father and an existing defendant in the suit. During the deposition, Jerome reportedly testified that Stinson, his ex-wife, ran the Twitter account that Carter believes was central to an alleged extortion plot. The pop star contends the account was used to spread “false, fabricated, defamatory and menacing statements.”
According to a motion filed by Carter’s lawyers, the Schuman family “actively concealed the true identity of the owner of the Twitter account” and then “used the foregoing sham account to defame Carter and pursue their extortive goals.” Carter is seeking to hold Stinson “accountable for the harm and damages that her illicit conduct has caused” by adding her to the lawsuit.
Did you know? – Nick Carter’s legal battle involves accusations of defamation and extortion. He claims the Schuman family used a Twitter account to spread false statements and pursue financial gain. The case is ongoing, with new developments emerging.
The legal battle stems from a 2022 lawsuit filed by Shannon Ruth alleging a 2002 assault by Carter, claims the singer has denied. In February 2023, Carter filed a countersuit against Melissa Schuman, Jerome Schuman, and Ruth, accusing them of conspiring to fabricate assault allegations in an attempt to secure a financial settlement.The trio has denied all wrongdoing.
Schuman also filed her own lawsuit against Carter, alleging an assault in 2003. Carter countersued, claiming her accusations have resulted in lost endorsement deals and demanded over $2 million in damages to his reputation.
In court documents, Carter admitted to a consensual encounter with Schuman in 2003, stating, “After having consensual sex, [Melissa] and [Carter] fell asleep. [Melissa] slept next to [Carter] through the night.” However, his legal team maintains, “At no point in time did [Carter] sexually assault [Schuman] or any other person.”
Carter further alleges that Schuman’s participation in a planned 2024 documentary, alongside numerous interviews containing what he claims are “false” allegations of abuse, has significantly harmed his career. His lawyer stated that Schuman allegedly shared defamatory statements with individuals connected to Carter’s business ventures.
As part of the legal proceedings, Carter is scheduled to be deposed in the coming months, requiring a break from the Backstreet Boys’ prosperous residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, which has been extended through next year.
A source told
Reader question: – Considering the conflicting accounts and legal actions,what do you think is the most challenging aspect of this case for the involved parties? Share your thoughts on the complexities of these accusations.
