Kesha and producer Dr. Luke have reached an out-of-court settlement in their defamation dispute, as announced by both parties on Thursday. They have expressed their belief that this settlement marks the end of their prolonged legal battles.
Dr. Luke stated in his announcement that he sincerely wishes Kesha well. Meanwhile, she conveyed her desire for peace to all parties involved and expressed her anticipation to move on from this chapter of her life and embrace a new beginning. She acknowledged that she cannot provide a complete account of what occurred that night, stating that only God knows the truth.
Settlement Reached in Defamation Dispute Amid Complex Legal Landscape
Dr. Luke expressed his appreciation for Kesha acknowledging her inability to recall the events of the night in 2005. He firmly stated his conviction that nothing inappropriate occurred, asserting that he never drugged or assaulted her, emphasizing that he would never engage in such behavior towards anyone. He emphasized that he had been fighting vigorously for nearly a decade to clear his name for the sake of his family. Dr. Luke acknowledged that it was time for him to put this challenging matter behind him and move forward with his life, while also expressing his well wishes for Kesha.
The decision to settle the dispute followed a recent ruling by a New York appeals court, which classified Dr. Luke as a public figure in the lawsuit, raising the burden of proof required for him to demonstrate defamation by her. The court also determined that Kesha could seek recovery of some of her legal fees from Dr. Luke if she emerged victorious as the defendant. However, the court’s extensive brief contained both favorable and unfavorable outcomes for the parties involved. Certain statements made by her in court documents, which she sought to have excluded, were deemed admissible and would be left for a jury to decide.
Trial Set to Begin After Nine-Year Legal Battle over Assault Allegations
After a lengthy nine-year legal journey, the trial was scheduled to commence on July 19, marking the culmination of the ongoing conflict between Kesha and her former mentor and producer.
The dispute between the singer and Dr. Luke (real name: Lukasz Gottwald) dates back to 2014 when Kesha accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 2005. Throughout the years, he has consistently denied these allegations and countersued Kesha for defamation regarding her claims against him, including her assertion that he assaulted another singer. According to his version of events, Kesha made these accusations as a means to terminate her contract with his record label, a claim she vehemently refuted. Despite the dissolution of their personal working relationship, Kesha remained contractually obligated to his Kemosabe imprint.
