Nick Carter.Photo: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty
Nick Carter’s legal battle continues as Shannon Ruth, a woman whosued him in December 2022 for alleged sexual battery, moves to havehis recent counterclaimdismissed.
Ruth’s attorney Mark J. Boskovich and Carter’s attorney Michael Holtz did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In the motion, Ruth’s lawyers suggest that Carter’s counterclaim is just a strategy to use his celebrity status to “outlast” “intimidate” and “outspend” Ruth instead of facing the accusations in court.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Nick Carter.Ray Tamarra/GC Images
In December 2022, Ruth announced she was suing Carter during a press conference.
Ruth, who has autism and cerebral palsy, claimed she was waiting in an autograph line after a 2001 Backstreet Boys show in Tacoma, Washington, when Carter invited her to his bus.
The singer allegedly asked Ruth if she wanted a drink, and when she requested apple juice, he gave her a red-colored drink he called “VIP juice,” the documents claim.
Though Ruth claims that Carter said the beverage was cranberry juice, Ruth believes it also contained alcohol.
The singer has previously denied both allegations. The counterclaim states he believes he has never met Ruth.
RELATED VIDEO: Nick Carter Sued for Sexual Battery in 2001 Fan Incident as Source Denies Allegations
Carterfiled a counterclaimagainst Ruth in February. In his counterclaim, he is also suingMelissa Schuman, a former teen pop singer with the girl group Dream,who accused him of rape in 2017.
It also describes Schuman, now 38, and Ruth as “opportunists” who set out to “destroy innocent lives,” and caused more than $2.3 million in business losses afterthe December accusation.
The counterclaim alleges Schuman and her father Jerome Schuman groomed Ruth, who “was a vulnerable and highly impressionable individual, craving attention and desperate to fit in.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
