Former Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter faced a setback as a Los Angeles judge denied his attempt to dismiss the rape lawsuit filed by former Dream singer Melissa Schuman.

Nick Carter, a member of the Backstreet Boys, sought the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Melissa Schuman, a former Dream singer, accusing him of rape. However, a Los Angeles judge rejected Carter’s request. The judge ruled that the case should remain in Los Angeles, despite Carter suing Schuman and two others in Las Vegas for defamation regarding other sexual assault allegations.

During a morning hearing in Santa Monica, California, Judge Lisa Sepe-Wiesenfeld expressed reservations about Nevada being the suitable location for the case. She highlighted that Melissa Schuman alleges Nick Carter raped her in Santa Monica in 2003, and the local police investigated the claim.

The individual who filed the lawsuit mentioned that there are numerous witnesses and events tied to what happened here. It’s not just a single incident; she specifically noted at least 15 people who live in this area,” explained the judge. Nick Carter participated via phone, while Melissa Schuman was present with her lawyer, Karen Barth Menzies.

Nick Carter’s attorney argued that Schuman’s case, filed in April, is closely linked to other cases in Vegas involving accusers Shannon Ruth in 2022 and Jane Doe A.R. in August. They proposed consolidating them to prevent conflicting decisions in different locations. The judge had some concerns but ultimately sided with Schuman. She stated, “The alleged events took place in California, and it’s essential for the community to address issues arising from incidents that occurred here.”

Following the hearing, Melissa Schuman mentioned attending in person to convey that she’s not scared or intimidated. She stated, “Everything they’ve put me through isn’t working on me. I’m not backing down. I’m not going away. I will fight for justice,” as reported by Rolling Stone.

Her attorney, Barth Menzies, explained that California recognizes the challenges faced by survivors in sexual assault cases and has enacted laws to support them. Schuman’s case is in California because it was filed under a law allowing victims to sue for alleged sex assaults beyond the usual time limit for a year. This law, which concluded on December 31, also covers claims involving cover-ups.

In Melissa Schuman’s case, the complaint asserted that Nick Carter covered up Shannon Ruth’s 2001 assault by concealing evidence related to prior incidents or allegations of sexual assault or inappropriate conduct. This was done to prevent them from becoming public or being disclosed to Melissa Schuman.

During a recent hearing, Nick Carter’s lawyer stated that he denies assaulting Shannon Ruth, asserting there was no cover-up. As a result, they argued that Melissa Schuman shouldn’t have the right to sue. In response, Schuman’s lawyer countered that their case doesn’t solely rely on that specific claim and that they believe there are other instances of a cover-up.

Nick Carter has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with the accusations from all three accusers. Following Shannon Ruth’s lawsuit, he filed counterclaims, alleging significant financial losses due to canceled events and endorsement deals. Carter also claims that his interactions with Melissa Schuman and Jane Doe A.R. were consensual.

In response to Carter’s counterclaims, lawyers for Jane Doe A.R. emphasized that he did not deny the claims of statutory rape. They stated, “Carter cannot and did not deny AR’s claims that he statutory raped her when she was a minor 15-year-old teen.”

The legal proceedings are ongoing, with both sides presenting arguments and counterarguments in this complex case.