January 1, Nick Carter Accused of Sexually Assaulting Underage Fan on 2001 Backstreet Boys Tour

A civil lawsuit has been filed against Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys fame, accusing the pop star of raping an underage fan in 2001.

Shannon “Shay” Ruth claims that when she was 17, Carter invited her on the group’s tour bus while she was waiting for an autograph after a concert in Tacoma, Washington, according to the complaint filed in federal court in Las Vegas last week.

Ruth says Carter, who would’ve been 21 at the time, gave her a “red-colored drink” that he called “VIP juice.”

Carter then allegedly began assaulting his fan. The filing describes the alleged assault in graphic detail.

Ruth, noting that she was still a virgin at the time, says she cried during the alleged incident.

According to the filing, Carter asked her, “Why are you crying?! Stop crying!”

“I was so upset that I cried throughout the ordeal,” Ruth said in a statement provided to various media outlets. “Afterward, he called me a ‘retarded little bitch’ and threatened me, saying no one would believe me and I’d go to jail if I told what happened. He also said he’d turn people against me because he’s Nick Carter and he would wreck my life.”

Ruth, now 39, is on the autism spectrum and suffers from mild cerebral palsy.

“The investigation into Shay’s case led us to other victims, whose stories are remarkably similar – they were all virgins when Carter sexually assaulted them and they were all infected with HPV,” said Mark Boskovich, Ruth’s lawyer. “I’m hoping other women will come forward and stand with Shay since Nick Carter apparently has a long history of sexual assaults.”

Michael Holtz, Carter’s lawyer, vehemently denied the allegations.

“This claim about an incident that supposedly took place more than 20 years ago is not only legally meritless but also entirely untrue,” Holtz told Page Six in a statement.

“Unfortunately, for several years now, Ms. Ruth has been manipulated into making false allegations about Nick – and those allegations have changed repeatedly and materially over time. No one should be fooled by a press stunt orchestrated by an opportunistic lawyer – there is nothing to this claim whatsoever, which we have no doubt the courts will quickly realize.”

Ruth is suing for sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. She’s seeking $15,000 in damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering, in addition to punitive damages “in excess of $15,000” and attorney’s fees.

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Sources: The Daily Beast | Page Six