Melissa Schuman, the woman accusing Nick Carter of sexual assault, has filed court documents requesting to seal her medical records and deposition transcript, claiming she has been the target of a “campaign of harassment, threats, doxxing, and intimidation” from the Backstreet Boys singer’s fans following her allegations. In her filing, Schuman alleges her home address has been leaked, she has received anonymous mail and messages encouraging self-harm, and there have been “coordinated efforts to intimidate and discredit her”. A judge has yet to rule on her requests.
Carter has repeatedly denied Schuman’s allegations that he raped her in his Santa Monica apartment in 2003 when she was 18. The singer has countersued Schuman for defamation, claiming her accusations are part of a “plot to smear” his image and extort a financial settlement from him. Carter’s lawyers argue Schuman’s alleged false statements have “substantially damaged his ability to earn a livelihood” and caused his wife and children emotional distress. The trial in Schuman’s lawsuit against Carter is set to begin on May 10, 2027.
The legal battle has grown increasingly complex, with Carter countersuing Schuman for at least $2.5 million and recently seeking to add her mother as a defendant. He claims Schuman conspired with other accusers and her father to create false accusations, while Schuman says she has been forced to endure threats while waiting to litigate her case. Carter has also filed declarations from witnesses who claim they saw nothing concerning the night in question, though Schuman stands firmly by her story.
Carter is also facing separate lawsuits from three other women, Shannon Ruth, Ashley Repp, and Laura Penly, who have alleged sexual assault during the early 2000s. The singer has not been charged with any crimes related to the allegations, and his legal team has described the women’s claims as “nonsense”. As the 2027 trial date approaches, both sides remain locked in a bitter legal struggle that shows no signs of resolution.
