Nick Carter, best known as a longtime member of the multi-platinum boy band Backstreet Boys, is facing a fourth civil lawsuit involving sexual assault allegations. The latest complaint was filed last week in Nevada, where a woman named Laura Penly has accused the singer of raping her on two separate occasions in 2004 and 2005.
Penly alleges that her sexual encounters with Carter began consensually, but quickly turned non-consensual and violent, involving coercion, emotional manipulation, and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—which she says ultimately contributed to her developing cervical cancer later in life.
Alleged Relationship Turned Violent: Details from the Lawsuit
According to the civil complaint reviewed by Variety, Penly first met Carter when she was 19 years old, and he was 25. She claims that they began an on-and-off relationship which initially included consensual sexual encounters. However, she alleges that things escalated in a disturbing manner after a few initial meetings.
Penly describes an incident in which Carter became aggressive, ignored her refusals, and insisted she was “only there to have sex.” She says Carter failed to use protection during the act, despite her objections, and that this act of unprotected and non-consensual sex left her exposed to human papillomavirus (HPV)—a virus that can cause cervical cancer.
“He dismissed my protests completely and acted like I didn’t have a choice,” Penly claims in her complaint.
Penly further alleges that she developed cervical cancer years later as a direct result of contracting HPV from Carter, making the alleged sexual assault not only psychologically scarring but physically devastating.
A Second Assault and Repeated Trauma
The lawsuit outlines a second incident of rape, which allegedly occurred approximately two months after the first. According to Penly, Carter reached out again, apologized for his behavior, and asked to see her. She agreed to meet him again, believing his apology to be sincere.
However, she alleges that during that second meeting, Carter once again isolated her in a bedroom and raped her, ignoring her protests. The lawsuit claims this repeated violation compounded her trauma and eroded her mental and physical well-being for years to come.
Penly’s legal filing states that Carter’s actions were “predatory, deliberate, and emotionally manipulative,” and she is now seeking compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $15,000, along with a jury trial.
Carter’s Legal Team Responds: Strong Denial and Counteraccusations
In response to the allegations, Carter’s attorneys, Liane K. Wakayama and Dale Hayes Jr., issued a scathing public statement. The lawyers described the lawsuit as another chapter in what they called a coordinated smear campaign orchestrated by a group of “conspirators” aiming to ruin Carter’s reputation.
“It’s drawn from the same predictable playbook – lie in wait for decades until Mr. Carter is celebrating a professional milestone, then hide behind litigation privilege to make utterly false claims,” the legal team said in a statement provided to Variety.
They added that Nick Carter does not recall ever meeting Laura Penly and denied having any type of romantic or sexual relationship with her. Carter’s lawyers also attempted to discredit Penly’s motives and credibility by alleging that she has a history of financial instability, including bankruptcy filings and being sued for fraud.
Furthermore, the attorneys emphasized that any health issues Penly may have faced are “entirely unrelated to Mr. Carter,” and stated that they will not only contest the lawsuit but will also be seeking legal sanctions against her attorneys for what they consider a “frivolous and malicious” lawsuit.
Part of a Broader Pattern: Three Other Women Have Previously Filed Lawsuits
Penly’s lawsuit is not the first time Carter has faced sexual assault allegations. This case adds to a growing list of legal troubles for the singer, all of which have become a significant legal and PR burden for him and the Backstreet Boys.
December 2022 – Shannon Ruth’s Lawsuit
In late 2022, Shannon Ruth filed a lawsuit in Clark County, Nevada, accusing Carter of raping her after a Backstreet Boys concert in 2001. Ruth, who lives with autism and cerebral palsy, claims that Carter forced her to perform oral sex on him inside his tour bus when she was only 17 years old. Ruth also alleges that she contracted HPV as a result of that encounter.
Melissa Schuman – Former Dream Singer’s Allegation
Melissa Schuman, a former member of the early 2000s girl group Dream, filed her own lawsuit against Carter in California in 2022. Schuman alleges that Carter drugged and raped her in 2003 at his Santa Monica apartment, when she was 17 years old. Her case reignited public discussions around abuse in the music industry and the vulnerability of young artists.
Nick Carter’s Countersuit
In February 2023, Carter filed a countersuit against both Ruth and Schuman, as well as Schuman’s father. The countersuit accused the trio of attempting to extort money from Carter and causing irreparable harm to his career. He is seeking $2.5 million in damages, although the exact amount will be determined at trial.
Back in the Spotlight: Documentary Sheds Light on Carter Family’s History
These lawsuits have surfaced alongside growing public interest in the Carter family’s history, partly driven by a two-part documentary series recently released. The series centers around Aaron Carter’s troubled life and tragic death, the complex dynamics between the siblings, and the emotional toll of fame.
Narrated by their sister, Angel Carter, the documentary explores how fame, substance abuse, mental illness, and allegations of abuse have torn apart the Carter family. The series also touches on the deaths of three of the five Carter children, including Aaron Carter, who passed away in November 2022, and the recent tensions between surviving siblings.
The docuseries doesn’t directly delve into Nick’s legal troubles, but it has amplified public scrutiny of his role in the family and raised questions about toxic patterns of behavior, abuse, and accountability within the celebrity sphere.
What Comes Next? Legal and Public Fallout Continue
As of now, no criminal charges have been filed against Nick Carter in connection to any of the four lawsuits. However, the civil cases remain active, and the allegations continue to weigh heavily on his career and personal image.
Penly’s lawsuit could lead to additional legal proceedings, depositions, and possibly a public trial, depending on the court’s review of the evidence and motions filed by both parties.
Given the reputational risks involved and the renewed calls for accountability in the entertainment industry, the outcome of this lawsuit may have far-reaching implications—not just for Carter but for the music industry’s ongoing reckoning with abuse, power dynamics, and the long-term impact of fame.
The Information is Collected from Variety and Fox News.
