Kesha & Dr. Luke Settle Defamation Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Singer Kesha and her former producer Dr. Luke has recently released separate statements, announcing that they have reached a settlement in the defamation lawsuit he filed against her.

The lawsuit stemmed from Kesha’s allegation that Dr. Luke had raped her.

In 2014, Kesha filed lawsuits against Dr. Luke in both Los Angeles and New York, claiming that he had drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2005, as well as subjected her to physical and verbal abuse over a period of ten years.

In response, Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, filed a defamation lawsuit against Kesha. He alleged that she had fabricated the rape allegations as a means to terminate her recording contract.

In April 2016, Kesha’s lawsuit in New York was dismissed due to issues related to jurisdiction and the statute of limitations. Later, her attorney stated to Rolling Stone that the California lawsuit was dropped with the hope that Kesha could resume her music career.

Lukasz Gottwald, also known as Dr. Luke, who has not faced criminal charges, has consistently denied all of Kesha’s allegations. In 2020, he won a civil case where a judge ruled that Kesha had defamed him in her court filings, on social media, and in a private message to singer Lady Gaga.

Kesha appealed the verdict, and this month the New York Court of Appeals ruled in her favor. The court’s opinion stated that Gottwald is considered a public figure and must meet a higher burden of proof to show that Kesha acted with “actual malice” when making her statements.

The ruling also stated that Kesha should have been permitted to file a counterclaim.

Kesha shared the joint statements on her verified Instagram account, expressing her desire for “nothing but peace to all parties involved.” Her statement acknowledged that “Only God knows what happened that night, as I have always said” and she “cannot recount everything that happened. I am looking forward to closing the door on this chapter of my life and beginning a new one.”

Gottwald reiterated his previous denials, emphasizing that he has “vigorously fought” to clear his name and is ready to move forward. He stated that “While I appreciate Kesha again acknowledging she cannot recount what happened that night in 2005, I am absolutely certain that nothing happened.” He maintained his stance that he “never drugged or assaulted her, and would never do that to anyone.”