Songwriter and producer Dr. Luke has been embroiled in a long-running legal battle with Kesha, which came to a head this week with new evidence.
Kesha initially filed a lawsuit against producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, stating that he sexually assaulted and abused her over a ten-year period.
Kesha started out as an 18-year-old performer fresh to Los Angeles. She signed a six-album deal with Dr. Luke in 2005, with the first single “Tik Tok” dropping in 2010 and sitting at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts for nine weeks.
In 2014, Kesha filed a civil lawsuit in California against Dr. Luke, stating that he had sexually, physically, verbally, and emotionally abused her during their decade-long relationship. But Dr. Luke’s legal team has repeatedly denied those accusations, calling it a “bogus complaint and part of a PR media blitz designed to create negative public pressure on Gottwald to give into Kesha’s contract demands.”
Now, Dr. Luke is pursuing a defamation lawsuit with damages that could surpass $40 million in damages.
The producer says his reputation has been massively damaged by rape allegations and a concerted smear campaign.
The producer’s legal team says alleged emails between Kesha’s managers suggested the team offered a “TMZ exclusive” to achieve maximum negative publicity against “Person L,” presumed to be Dr. Luke. The emails further allege that the goal was to “help extricate Client K from her currently professional relationship with Person L.”
Another email chain between Kesha’s two managers, Jack Rovner and Ken Levitan, says “let’s battle in the press. Take down his business.” Rovner replied that he’s “all for public execution.”
Part of the problem is this campaign strongly reinforced an unproven rape claim, according to Luke’s legal team. “The false narrative Kesha created about being raped became widely accepted, damaging Dr. Luke’s reputation irreparably,” the complaint notes.
“There is nothing worse than abuse and sexual assault. Dr. Luke supports any woman or man who seeks to address sexual abuse in the legal system. That is not what happened here. It is also horrendous to falsely accuse someone of a heinous act.”
Another bombshell came when Dr. Luke’s legal team revealed an unsealed deposition from Katy Perry in which the singer denied ever having a sexual or romantic relationship with Dr. Luke.
Kesha’s legal team says other female artists like Pink, Avril Lavigne, and Kelly Clarkson have submitted sworn statements stating that their hesitance to work with Dr. Luke goes beyond Kesha’s abuse allegations.
Despite the legal battle, Kesha’s attempts to nullify her contract have failed. Her 2017 album Rainbow was distributed through RCA Records and Kemosabe, the label co-founded by Dr. Luke.
It’s a messy business.. protect yourself against false and exaggerated claims with video surveillance and avoid one on one meetings in private.. instead have meetings in public at cafes and foodcourts..
ESPECIALLY when you have ANY MONEY whatsoever. I would say a partnership in particular makes you a victim, but these days, these young chicks are mercenary. They think it’s their right to address past historical grievances by all women against all men by any means they deem necessary at any moment.
They’re poor, desperate, manipulative and righteous. Great combo. See you overseas. I’m afraid your advice to video (and get consent for that videoing) all studio sessions is probably right on point.
Senor Luke is a public figure, and the standard for proving defamation against a public figure requires proof of malicious intent. If these facts are accurate, Toonacrotch has a problem.
I am going to love this case if it turns out in his favor. This woman went from zero to hero with a real career, and then she allegedly uses a false rape charge to cash in more money for god knows what reason.
If he wins, don’t expect this get much play in the MSM. It doesn’t fit the current narrative that no American ever lie.