Nick Carter, a member of the iconic pop band Backstreet Boys, is facing serious allegations once again as a new lawsuit has been filed against him, marking the fourth such case in recent years. The latest accuser, Laura Penly, claims that Carter raped her twice during their relationship in the early 2000s, leading to significant health issues that include a diagnosis of cervical cancer.
According to the lawsuit filed in Nevada, Penly, who was 19 at the time, alleges that she and Carter had consensual sex three times before he became aggressive and forced her into sexual acts. The incidents reportedly occurred in late 2004 and early 2005 when Carter was 25. Penly claims that during their relationship, Carter dismissed her refusals and stated, "the only reason she was there was to have sex."
Penly further alleges that Carter failed to use protection during their encounters, resulting in her contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HPV. This infection later contributed to her developing stage-two cervical cancer, as stated in her complaint. "I had never had unprotected sex with anyone before him," Penly noted in her lawsuit.
The details surrounding the alleged assaults are troubling. Penly claims that after their initial consensual encounters, Carter isolated her in a bedroom and forced himself on her, despite her repeated protests. She described the experience as traumatic, stating that it caused her severe emotional distress and long-term medical issues.
In a statement shared with media outlets, Carter's attorneys, Liane K. Wakayama and Dale Hayes, Jr., vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as "nonsense" from "a gang of conspirators" aiming to harm Carter's reputation. They assert that he does not recall ever meeting Penly and has never had any romantic or sexual relationship with her. The attorneys also indicated that they would seek sanctions against Penly's legal team for what they termed a frivolous lawsuit.
This lawsuit is not an isolated incident; it adds to a growing list of sexual assault allegations against Carter. In December 2022, Shannon Ruth filed the first formal lawsuit against him, alleging that he raped her when she was just 17 years old after a Backstreet Boys concert in Tacoma, Washington. Ruth claimed that Carter invited her onto his tour bus, where he offered her an alcoholic drink and then assaulted her.
Following Ruth's case, two more women came forward with similar claims against Carter. In 2023, Melissa Schuman, a member of the girl group Dream, alleged that Carter raped her in 2003 when she was 18. Schuman's lawsuit detailed how Carter forced himself on her despite her objections, claiming she was a virgin saving herself for marriage. Another accuser, Ashley Repp, alleged that Carter assaulted her in 2003 when she was only 15 years old.
Each of these women has faced a legal battle with Carter, who has countersued for defamation in response to their allegations. However, a judge recently dismissed his defamation claim against Repp, ruling that her statements were protected.
The persistent allegations against Carter have reignited discussions about sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry, particularly concerning figures who have long been idolized. As these cases unfold, they not only highlight the serious nature of the claims but also the challenges faced by survivors in seeking justice.
Despite the allegations, Carter continues to maintain his innocence, asserting that he is being targeted as part of a broader conspiracy to damage his career. The mounting accusations, however, suggest that this legal and public reckoning is far from over.
As the legal proceedings progress, Penly is seeking $15,000 in damages and has demanded a jury trial, highlighting the gravity of her claims and the impact of the alleged assaults on her life. The outcome of this latest lawsuit could have significant implications for Carter, who is already grappling with a tarnished reputation amid these serious allegations.
In the wake of these accusations, the Backstreet Boys' legacy and Carter's career face an uncertain future, with fans and the public closely watching how the situation unfolds. The ongoing legal battles serve as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding sexual assault cases and the importance of addressing such allegations seriously.
