Nick Carter Faces Serious Allegations of Sexual Assault and STD Transmission

LOS ANGELES, CA — Nick Carter, the 45-year-old singer from the Backstreet Boys, is facing serious allegations of sexual assault and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in a new lawsuit filed by Laura Penly. The lawsuit claims that the incidents occurred between late 2004 and early 2005 when Penly was approximately 19 years old. Carter has vehemently denied these allegations.

According to the details of the lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE, Penly alleges she and Carter engaged in a “sexually intimate relationship” during intervals when she visited Los Angeles. She claims their encounters occurred approximately every few weeks from December 2004 to February 2005. While Penly asserts that at least three encounters were consensual, she alleges that a subsequent encounter at Carter’s Hollywood apartment turned non-consensual.

Penly states that during their interactions, she explicitly requested that Carter wear a condom, to which he allegedly refused. She states this led her to believe he was “clean” of STDs. Notably, Penly claims that prior to meeting Carter, she had never engaged in unprotected sex with anyone.

In early 2005, during what she intended to be a casual visit to watch movies, Penly alleges Carter told her the only reason she was there was to engage in sexual activity. She claims that on this occasion, the sexual encounter turned into an alleged assault, despite her repeated protests of “no.” Penly asserts that Carter failed to use protection, leading to her contracting various STDs.

The lawsuit further alleges that Penly was infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to cervical cancer. By July 2005, she reportedly tested positive for chlamydia and gonorrhea, along with cancerous cells. A diagnosis of Stage 2 cervical cancer followed in August, leading to extensive medical treatment that resulted in severe physical and emotional distress.

Penly is seeking damages exceeding $15,000, citing Carter’s “willful and conscious disregard” for her health and safety, and she is demanding a jury trial. Penly also alleges harassment from Carter’s fans following her testimony at a deposition regarding her claims against him.

Gianna N. Elliot, an attorney representing Penly from Marsh Law Firm, commented, “It takes profound courage and resilience for survivors of sexual assault to publicly come forward in pursuit of justice, particularly in the music industry that has long fostered a pervasive environment of sexual exploitation.” Elliot emphasized that the lawsuit seeks to hold Carter accountable and empower other survivors to speak out.

Carter’s legal representatives have characterized the allegations as “nonsense” and part of a coordinated effort to damage his reputation. Attorneys Liane K. Wakayama and Dale Hayes, Jr. stated, “This is just more of the same nonsense from the gang of conspirators and their lawyers who continue to abuse the justice system.” They maintain that Carter does not recall meeting Penly and denies having any romantic or sexual relationship with her.

This lawsuit makes Penly the fourth woman to publicly accuse Carter of sexual assault, joining claims made by Melissa Schuman, Ashley Repp, and Shannon Ruth. In 2024, a judge ruled against Carter’s countersuit for defamation concerning one of these cases.

As this legal situation unfolds, the upcoming hearings are poised to shed further light on the allegations against Carter.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).