Neil Gaiman Denies Sexual Assault Allegations in Babysitter Lawsuit, Claims Consensual Relationship and Wrong Jurisdiction
Neil Gaiman, the acclaimed author of works like "Good Omens" and "American Gods," is vehemently denying allegations of human trafficking, sexual assault, and battery leveled against him by his child’s former babysitter, Scarlett Pavlovich. In a recent legal filing, Gaiman is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that the claims are baseless and that the case was filed in the wrong jurisdiction.
Pavlovich filed the lawsuit last month, alleging that Gaiman repeatedly raped her and exploited her for "free sexual services and labor" in 2022. She claims these incidents occurred while she was employed as a live-in nanny for Gaiman and his then-wife, Amanda Palmer, in their New Zealand homes. At the time of the alleged incidents, Pavlovich was around 24 years old, while Gaiman was 61. In her suit, Pavlovich also accuses Palmer of "procuring and presenting (Pavlovich) to Gaiman for such abuse." Palmer has also publicly denied these allegations.
Gaiman’s legal team responded by filing a brief in support of their motion to dismiss the case in Wisconsin federal court. The document, obtained by USA TODAY, labels Pavlovich’s allegations as "outrageous" and asserts that they are unequivocally false. Gaiman’s filing states that he and Pavlovich engaged in a "brief personal relationship, which involved consensual physical intimacy, not sexual intercourse."
Defense Claims Consensual Relationship
Gaiman’s legal team maintains that any sexual conduct that occurred between him and Pavlovich was entirely consensual. The filing describes Pavlovich’s detailed accounts of sexual encounters as "invented." It aims to portray Pavlovich as the instigator of their sexual relationship, presenting evidence that she allegedly initiated and encouraged intimacy.
To support their claim of a consensual relationship, Gaiman’s lawyers included excerpts from alleged WhatsApp messages between Gaiman and Pavlovich. They argue that these messages show that Pavlovich never accused Gaiman of any misconduct during their relationship. The full record of messages is reportedly under seal and unavailable to the public.
One example included in the filing references an alleged incident in which Gaiman and Pavlovich were intimate in a bathtub together. Gaiman concedes that this occurred on February 4, 2022, but denies that "sexual intercourse" took place. He alleges that Pavlovich never indicated any lack of consent or unwillingness to participate in the activities.
Jurisdictional Dispute
A significant aspect of Gaiman’s defense revolves around the issue of jurisdiction. His lawyers argue that U.S. courts lack legal authority over the matter because the alleged misconduct occurred in New Zealand, where Pavlovich is a citizen. They emphasize that the "vast majority of non-party witnesses and evidence are in New Zealand," which is approximately 8,296 miles from the Western District of Wisconsin, where the lawsuit was filed.
Gaiman’s team contends that Pavlovich must first exhaust "New Zealand’s available remedies" before pursuing legal action in the United States. They assert that conducting discovery for the case would be severely burdensome if the litigation proceeds outside of New Zealand.
Alleged Post-Accusation Communication
The filing also includes an alleged WhatsApp exchange from March 24, 2022, in which Gaiman purportedly messaged Pavlovich after hearing from Palmer that Pavlovich had accused him of sexual assault. In the alleged message, Gaiman writes, "Honestly, when Amanda told me that you were telling people I’d raped you and were planning to Me Too me, I wanted to kill myself. But I’m getting through it a day at a time, and it’s been two weeks now and I’m still here. Fragile but not great."
Gaiman claims that Pavlovich responded to this message by stating she was "horrified" and that it was "the first time I have heard of this." Two days later, she allegedly sent another message saying, "It was consensual — how many times do I have to… tell everyone."
Gaiman’s Request for Dismissal
In the 40-page filing, Gaiman’s legal team concludes by requesting that the court dismiss the complaint against him "on the merits and with prejudice." They are also seeking to be awarded attorney’s fees and expenses incurred in defending the action, as well as any other relief the court deems just and proper.
Pavlovich’s Allegations in Detail
Pavlovich’s lawsuit details disturbing accusations against Gaiman, claiming that he repeatedly raped her while she worked as a live-in nanny. She alleges that Gaiman received "free sexual services and labor" from her during this time. Pavlovich also accuses Palmer of facilitating the abuse by "procuring and presenting" her to Gaiman.
Past Reporting and Palmer’s Denial
Before filing the lawsuit, Pavlovich previously shared her allegations in a Vulture report published on January 13. In response to the allegations, Palmer posted a statement on Instagram denying any wrongdoing and defending herself against the accusations.
Moving Forward
The court will now consider Gaiman’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The decision will likely hinge on the jurisdictional arguments presented by Gaiman’s legal team and the evidence presented by both sides regarding the alleged consensual nature of the relationship between Gaiman and Pavlovich. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for both Gaiman’s reputation and the future of the #MeToo movement.
The USA TODAY has reached out to Pavlovich’s attorneys for comment, but no response has been provided as of yet.
