Nick Carter is facing another lawsuit.
The 43-year-old Backstreet Boys singer has been sued once again by Melissa Schuman, singer and former member of pop girl group Dream, for sexual assault.
Melissa, 38, is alleging that Nick sexually assaulted her in 20023. She claims that he used “his role, status, and power as a well-known singer to gain access to, groom, manipulate, exploit, and sexually assault.”
She detailed how Nick allegedly forced himself upon her in his Santa Monica home and took her virginity.
In a statement, Melissa said:
“I’ve faced extraordinary backlash for standing up for myself; I am not the first, however my intention is that I am the last.
It’s time that powerful figures in the music industry get the message that they can no longer afford to enable and protect sexual predators. I’m fighting to make the music industry a safer place to work and perform.”
Her attorney, Jeff Anderson, added:
“Melissa’s case describes how powerful, celebrated individuals can weaponize their fan base to intimidate and harass the survivors of their crimes.
Finally, we have an opportunity now to prove that there are legal consequences to these crimes.”
In 2017, Nick denied the allegations in a statement and said that Melissa had “never expressed to me while we were together or at any time since that anything we did was not consensual… It is contrary to my nature and everything I hold dear to intentionally cause someone discomfort or harm.”
His attorney, Liane K. Wakayama, claimed:
“Melissa Schuman has been peddling the tale for many years, but her allegation was false when she first made it back in 2017 – and it still is.”
She accused Melissa of “plotting to damage, defame and extort Nick, his associates, his friends and his family,” and declared:
“This PR stunt won’t shake Nick from his determination to hold Ms. Schuman and her co-conspirators to account for the immeasurable pain and suffering their extortionate conduct has caused.”
