Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter Sues Rape Accuser’s Mother Over Twitter

Nick Carter wants to add another defendant to his defamation lawsuit.

The Backstreet Boys musician is in the middle of a legal battle with multiple women accusing him of sexual assault: Shannon Ruth, who sued him in 2022 alleging he raped her on a tour bus in 2001, and Dream singer Melissa Schuman, who sued him in 2023 alleging he raped her in 2003. Carter denied the allegations, and sued both women in 2023 alleging defamation and extortion – and now, he’s attempting to include Schuman’s mother as an additional defendant.

In a new motion, which was filed in Nevada district court on nov. 13 and has been reviewed by Entertainment Weekly, Carter’s lawyers allege that Schuman’s mother, Leisha Stinson, ran an anonymous Twitter account under the handle @ElaineMoo that was previously listed as an unknown Doe defendant in his defamation countersuit.

key points

* Nick Carter added Leisha Stinson, the mother of his rape accuser Melissa Schuman, as a defendant to his defamation and extortion lawsuit.
* Carter’s attorneys say that Stinson’s ex-husband, Jerome Schuman, identified her as the owner of a defamatory twitter account.
* The singer claims the account was used to make “false, fabricated, defamatory and menacing statements” about him.

Nick Carter Faces Ongoing Legal Battles Amidst Defamation and Sexual Assault allegations

Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter is currently embroiled in multiple legal disputes stemming from accusations of sexual assault and subsequent defamation claims. These cases, involving accusers Melissa Schuman and a woman identified as Ashley, have unfolded over several years and continue to draw public attention.

the melissa Schuman Defamation Case

The legal conflict with Melissa Schuman began with a 2017 blog post where she detailed allegations of abuse against Carter. In response, Carter initially filed a defamation lawsuit against Schuman.Though, the case took a turn when Schuman filed her own lawsuit alleging Carter had raped her in 2003.

In 2024, Carter escalated the legal battle by filing a defamation countersuit in California. According to court documents, Carter alleges that Schuman engaged in a “plot to smear Carter’s image in an effort to extort him” through intentional and malicious interference with his career and economic opportunities.Ruling in the Ashley Sexual Assault Case

However, in 2024, a judge ruled against Carter, stating that his own admissions confirmed the sexual encounter occurred and that Ashley was a minor. Clark County Judge Joe Hardy Jr. stated, “The truth is an absolute defense. Based on Carter’s own judicial admissions, they did have sex. they had sexual relations, and she was a minor.” https://www.etonline.com/nick-carter-judge-rules-against-him-in-sexual-assault-case-ashley

Ashley responded to the ruling with a statement expressing relief and validation. “I am so thankful that the voice of my 15-year-old self is finally being heard and believed,” she said. “All I ever wanted was to set myself free. I hope anyone else struggling can do the same.” https://www.etonline.com/nick-carter-judge-rules-against-him-in-sexual-assault-case-ashley

Previous Dismissal of Defamation Claim Against Ashley

Prior to the ruling on the Ashley case itself, a judge had already dismissed Carter’s attempt to file a defamation counterclaim against Ashley. This indicates the court was limiting the scope of Carter’s legal responses to focus on the core allegations of sexual assault.

These ongoing legal battles continue to cast a shadow over the Backstreet Boys singer’s career and public image. The outcomes of the defamation case with Schuman and any potential appeals in the Ashley case remain to be seen.