Latest news with #Pavlovich
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gaiman seeks suit's dismissal in filing
MENOMONIE — Author Neil Gaiman is asking a federal court to dismiss a suit against him and his estranged wife, Amanda Palmer, saying the case should be filed in New Zealand. The suit by Scarlett Pavlovich, who was a caretaker for Gaiman and Palmer's son, alleges they hired her knowing that she 'would be forced to engage in sexual acts as a condition of receiving the pay and housing they promised her.' The suit alleges Gaiman aggressively pursued her for sexual purposes despite being warned against doing so, and that he was coercive and abusive during sexual encounters. Gaiman has denied the allegations. The motion says any case should be brought in New Zealand, since that's where the acts Pavlovich is suing for took place. It also contends the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act 'cannot be applied extraterritorially.' The suit was filed in Wisconsin based on Gaiman's property in Menomonie. An extensive brief in support of the motion maintains Gaiman's innocence of any criminal acts. 'Gaiman did not engage in the outrageous and tortious conduct Pavlovich alleges in her Complaint or in her myriad media interviews. In no uncertain terms, Pavlovich's accusations are false,' it says. The brief further asserts that New Zealand authorities investigated and decided against filing any charges. The filing includes what Gaiman's attorneys say are texts from Pavlovich, including one sent after the two took a bath together that says she was 'consumed by thoughts of you, the things you will do to me. I'm so hungry. What a terrible creature you've turned me into. I hope tomorrow, or some other time soon,' and ends with a heart emoji. Another text seems to contradict Pavlovich's claims in the suit, saying 'It was consensual — how many times do I have to ... tell everyone.' But most of the brief is aimed at outright dismissal of the suit. Multiple pages are dedicated to establishing an argument that a New Zealand citizen who is bringing a case against a permanent resident of New Zealand for conduct alleged to have happened in New Zealand should be tried there. Because New Zealand law differs from American requirements for discovery, the process would be significantly complicated, potentially requiring litigation in that country. 'New Zealand is an adequate and available forum for the remedies sought,' the brief says. Gaiman filed a declaration in support of the motion, directly speaking to the allegations by Pavlovich. He points to the WhatsApp messages between the two as evidence in his favor. 'The messages … demonstrate, in Pavlovich's own words, that our relationship was consensual, and that Pavlovich was an enthusiastic participant who initiated many of our sexual encounters,' he said. Palmer, who is also named in the suit, has not yet filed a response.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Neil Gaiman Calls Rape Accuser a ‘Fantasist,' Moves to Dismiss Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Neil Gaiman's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the sexual assault lawsuit in Wisconsin brought by a former nanny, Scarlett Pavlovich. Pavlovich sued Gaiman in Wisconsin, New York, and Massachusetts last month, accusing the author of rape and sexual assault. She also accused Gaiman's ex-wife, Amanda Palmer, of 'procuring and presenting [her] to Gaiman for such abuse.' Pavlovich's suit came after she shared her story with New York Magazine. (Eight of Gaiman's accusers spoke for that story. Gaiman has denied all allegations against him.). More from Rolling Stone 'Drag Race' Star Shangela Responds to Sexual Assault Lawsuit Chlöe Bailey Sued for 'Exploiting' Songwriter's Contributions in $15 Million Lawsuit Nicolas Cage Sued for Negligence by Ex Over Their Son's Alleged Assault Along with the motion to dismiss, Gaiman submitted his own court declaration, in which he called Pavlovich a 'fantasist who has fabricated a tale of abuse' against him and Palmer. Attached to Gaiman's new filing are two exhibits filled with text message conversations between himself and Pavlovich from 2022 through early 2023. Gaiman claimed the messages 'demonstrate, in Pavlovich's own words, that our relationship was consensual, and that Pavlovich was an enthusiastic participant who initiated many of our sexual encounters.' Pavlovich alleged that Gaiman first raped her in February 2022 in a garden bathtub at Gaiman and Palmer's home in New Zealand. She claimed that Gaiman offered her the chance to use the tub, which she accepted, but was then surprised when Gaiman came back naked, got in the tub with her, and allegedly penetrated her anally with his fingers and attempted to do so with his penis. Gaiman specifically addressed this alleged incident in his declaration, claiming he 'invited Pavlovich to take a bath with' him and 'did not pressure her to do so.' He claimed that, while in the bath, the two 'talked about consent,' and Pavlovich told him she was 'open to having a sexual relationship' with him. 'We cuddled and made out in the bath,' Gaiman claimed. 'We then returned to the house and engaged in other sexual activity—although we did not have sex then, or at any time thereafter. At no point did Pavlovich say or do anything that led me to believe that she was not a willing participant in the activities.' The texts Gaiman submitted included a message Pavlovich sent him after that first encounter in which she wrote, 'Thank you for a lovely lovely night ~ wow x.' Pavlovich has acknowledged that she did not initially see what had allegedly happened to her as rape or assault. In her interview with New York, for instance, she remembered feeling confused after the first alleged attack, saying, 'You're not thinking in a linear or logical fashion, but the mind is trying to process it in the ways that it can.' Among the texts Gaiman submitted is another exchange from March 2022 that was referenced in the New York story. Gaiman told Pavolvich he was concerned that one of her friends was spreading 'all the stuff about me raping you' and 'me tooing threats.' Pavlovich responded, in part, 'It was consensual (and wonderful!),' adding that she thought her friend had been 'triggered by something.' In discussing the exchange with New York, Pavlovich said she was feeling 'disconnected from everybody else' at the time and was worried about upsetting Gaiman. Pavlovich's lawsuit contains other alleged instances where Gaiman assaulted, raped, abused, and degraded her, including instances where the author allegedly 'forc[ed] her into sexual conduct in front of Gaiman's child, and forc[ed] her to touch and lick feces and urine.' She described many of these as 'nonconsensual sex acts.' Along with denying this in his new filing, Gaiman noted that in November 2022, Pavlovich reported her allegations to the police in New Zealand. Gaiman claimed, 'Those allegations were thoroughly investigated by New Zealand police, and no charges were brought. In early April 2024, the New Zealand police closed the investigation.' He went on to allege that Pavlovich's lawsuits are 'designed to pressure me into an unjust financial settlement.' Lawyers for Pavlovich did not immediately return Rolling Stone's request for comment. Best of Rolling Stone Every Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ranked From Worst to Best The United States of Weed Gaming Levels Up
The Independent
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Neil Gaiman calls ex-babysitter ‘a fantasist' after sexual assault allegation
Neil Gaiman has claimed his child's former babysitter is a 'fantasist who has fabricated a tale of abuse against me' after she made allegations of sexual assault. The British author, 64, called for an around seven million dollar (£5.6 million) lawsuit made by Scarlett Pavlovich in the US to be dismissed. Ms Pavlovich alleged Gaiman sexually assaulted her and claimed his estranged wife, American singer Amanda Palmer, had told her about previous complaints from more than a dozen different women. The author, known for creating the Stardust, Good Omens, American Gods, and Coraline works, wrote in court documents that 'none of Pavlovich's claims are true', before adding: 'She is a fantasist who has fabricated a tale of abuse against me and Ms Palmer.' He added that the 'alleged conduct claimed and described in the complaint, all supposedly occurred in New Zealand', where he was living with his wife prior to Palmer and Gaiman announcing their divorce in 2022. Gaiman said that shortly after hiring Ms Pavlovich in February 2022 to look after his son with Palmer, they engaged in 'sexual activity', which he said was consensual – providing proof to the court of text messages between the pair. He also named people who could be called on as witnesses, and attached Ms Pavlovich's contract which included a 'strict confidentiality' clause. Gaiman also claimed she 'engaged in a media campaign to publicise her alleged claims before filing the complaint'. Ms Pavlovich's lawsuits, filed in Wisconsin, Massachusetts and New York, also claim the couple violated laws on federal human trafficking, with complaints of assault, battery and inflicting emotional distress against Gaiman and negligence against Palmer. A police report was made in New Zealand accusing Gaiman of sexual assault in 2023, with officers later dropping the investigation – which the author notes in his filing to the Wisconsin court. Palmer previously wrote on Instagram that she 'will not respond to the specific allegations being made against me except to say that I deny the allegations', and added that her 'heart goes out to all survivors'. Since eight allegations were made against Gaiman in New York Magazine in January, his publisher Dark Horse Comics cancelled another comic book of the Anansi Boys series. The UK stage adaptation of his book Coraline has also been scrapped, and the estate of English author Sir Terry Pratchett removed him from a project funding proposal for a Good Omens comic book. In January, Netflix said that a TV series of Gaiman's dark fantasy work The Sandman, starring British actor Tom Sturridge, will end with its second series later this year. Following a Tortoise Media podcast that interviewed five women in July last year, a film of The Graveyard Book have also been reportedly shelved, and the continuation of Good Omens starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen has been said to have been reduced. In a blog post, Gaiman said he had read the allegations, which he denies, with 'horror and dismay' and said he was 'not as thoughtful as I could or should have been' and he is still 'learning'. He also wrote: 'I'm far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.'
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Neil Gaiman Says WhatsApp Messages Prove Former Nanny's Claims of Rape Are a 'Sham': 'She's a Fantasist'
Neil Gaiman has called a former nanny's rape allegations against him a 'sham,' claiming WhatsApp messages prove his innocence. In February, a lawsuit was filed against Gaiman, writer of Good Omens and The Sandman, and his ex-wife Amanda Palmer that alleged that Gaimain had repeatedly raped and assaulted Scarlett Pavlovich while she was working for his family in New Zealand in 2022. More from The Hollywood Reporter Why 'Emilia Pérez' Was Oscar Snubbed But Conquered France's César Awards Meet Everyone Hates Elon, the U.K.-Based Collective Attempting to Take Down Musk: "Let's Make Billionaires Losers Again" Mexico's Rancho Humilde, Sony Pictures and Sony Music Latin Pact for 'Clika' Theatrical Release Pavlovich additionally claims she told Palmer that she was assaulted, adding that Palmer was not shocked and allegedly knew of past incidents of sexual misconduct by Gaiman. Pavlovich's initial suit includes claims of sexual assault, battery and human trafficking. Now, Gaiman has filed to dismiss the suit, saying, 'None of Pavlovich's claims are true. She is a fantasist who has fabricated a tale of abuse against me and Ms. Palmer.' Gaiman points to WhatsApp messages between him and Pavlovich that he says show the relationship was 'consensual and Pavlovich was an enthusiastic participant who initiated many of our sexual encounters.' The text screenshots include a message Gaiman purportedly received saying: 'I am consumed by thoughts of you, the things you will do to me. I'm so hungry. What a terrible creature you've turned me into.' His lawyers also explain that New Zealand police 'thoroughly investigated' Ms Pavlovich's claims but no charges were brought and police closed the investigation in April 2024. Pavlovich first spoke out about her alleged experience in a Tortoise Media podcast last year, later speaking to New York magazine in January as one of eight women accusing Gaiman of assault, abuse and coercion. She said Gaiman and Palmer violated laws on federal human trafficking, with complaints of assault, battery and inflicting emotional distress against Gaiman and negligence against Palmer. At the time, Pavlovich described being sexually assaulted in February 2022, when she was 22, by Gaiman in New Zealand in a backyard bathtub. She also alleged Gaiman assaulted her under the blankets on a hotel room bed while his son played with an iPad in the same room. Gaiman's reps denied this claim at the time, calling them 'false, not to mention, deplorable,' to the magazine. Palmer took to Instagram days after the suit was filed and said that she 'will not respond to the specific allegations being made against me except to say that I deny the allegations and will respond in due course. My heart goes out to all survivors.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2024: Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Olivia Rodrigo and More
The Guardian
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Neil Gaiman asks US court to dismiss lawsuit alleging rape and sexual assault
Neil Gaiman has asked a US district court to throw out a civil lawsuit accusing him of rape and sexual assault, filed last month by a woman who previously worked for the author and his former partner, Amanda Palmer. The motion to dismiss, filed on Tuesday, argued that the case should be heard in New Zealand, where the alleged abuse took place, rather than in the US. In an accompanying statement, Gaiman said that Scarlett Pavlovich, the former nanny to the couple who filed the suit on 3 February, 'is a fantasist who has fabricated a tale of abuse'. Gaiman pointed to screenshots of WhatsApp messages between himself and Pavlovich – compiled in a package along with the motion to dismiss – which the author said 'demonstrate, in Pavlovich's own words, that our relationship was consensual'. In the lawsuit, Pavlovich claims the abuse began the first day she worked for Gaiman and Palmer on 4 February 2022, when Gaiman suggested that she take a bath in the garden and allegedly sexually assaulted her. 'At no point did Pavlovich say or do anything that led me to believe that she was not a willing participant in the activities,' said Gaiman. His lawyers argue that messages sent by Pavlovich the next morning 'demonstrate as much'. The screenshot of one message reads: 'Thank you for a lovely lovely night ~ wow x'. His lawyers also point to messages in which Pavlovich appears to say that the sexual relationship was consensual. When Gaiman confronted Pavlovich after hearing from Palmer that Pavlovich alleged he abused her, Pavlovich responded 'Oh my God. Neil! I never said that … Rape? WHAT? This is the first I have heard of this.' In another message two days later, Pavlovich writes: 'It was consensual – how many times do I have to fucking tell everyone.' Sign up to Bookmarks Discover new books and learn more about your favourite authors with our expert reviews, interviews and news stories. Literary delights delivered direct to you after newsletter promotion However, in an episode of the Tortoise podcast in which allegations against Gaiman were first revealed, Pavlovich said that the messages 'are really hard for me to go through because of, you know, my delusion. I'm so furious with myself'. In Tuesday's supporting brief, Gaiman's lawyers write that Pavlovich's claims are a 'sham', and that the suits are the 'culmination' of Pavlovich's 'plan to maximise adverse publicity' against the author. 'In no uncertain terms, Pavlovich's accusations are false. The sexual scenarios she describes deliberately in graphic detail are invented.' Nine women have now accused Gaiman of sexual misconduct, eight of whom were interviewed for a New York Magazine piece published on 13 January. The following day, Gaiman published a statement on his website stating that he had 'never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.' Pavlovich filed her lawsuit to district courts in Wisconsin, New York and Massachusetts; Gaiman filed the motion to dismiss in Wisconsin. Along with the allegations against Gaiman himself, the lawsuit accuses Palmer of human trafficking and negligence – claims which Palmer denied last month. In November 2022, Palmer and Gaiman announced that they had decided to divorce. In a statement made in January this year, Palmer said that she was unable to comment on the allegations against Gaiman because of custody and divorce proceedings, but a representative told NME that she 'is profoundly disturbed' by the allegations against him. Pavlovich did not respond to a Guardian request for comment made through her lawyers.
