Nick Carter, 42, is denying all allegations that he raped a 17-year-old girl while on tour with the Backstreet Boys in 2001.
The Backstreet Boys attorney, Michael Holtz, said, “This claim about an incident that supposedly took place more than 20 years ago is not only legally meritless but also entirely untrue.”
He said, “Unfortunately, for several years now, Ms. Ruth has been manipulated into making false allegations about Nick – and those allegations have changed repeatedly and materially over time. No one should be fooled by a press stunt orchestrated by an opportunistic lawyer – there is nothing to this claim whatsoever, which we have no doubt the courts will quickly realize.”
In a news conference on Thursday, Shannon “Shay” Ruth, 39, criticized Carter for allegedly abusing her as a teen.
“Even though I’m autistic and live with cerebral palsy, I believe that nothing has affected me more or had a more lasting impact on my life than what Nick Carter did and said to me,” said Ruth.
“After he raped me, I remember him calling me a ‘re—-ed bitch’ and grabbing me and leaving bruises on my arm.”
In addition to Ruth’s lawsuit, three other Jane Does file a complaint claiming the singer sexually assaulted them.
According to Ruth, she was sexually assaulted on the tour bus and claimed the singer gave her HPV.
“Just because Nick Carter is a celebrity does not mean that he is excused from his crimes,” the woman concluded. “I am a survivor and always will be.”
