Court documents reveal that Ashley Repp, who accused Carter of sexual battery and emotional distress in 2023, has requested the court to award her attorney fees. Specifically, she is seeking $27,459 for legal costs, $1,266 in additional expenses, and a $10,000 penalty.
Ashley’s legal team argues that they invested significant time and effort defending her against what they describe as “unreasonable and frivolous claims” from Nick. They claim that his lawsuit aimed to silence Ashley, a victim of child sexual abuse, from speaking about the alleged abuse she endured when she was a minor.
In her initial lawsuit, Ashley accused the 44-year-old singer of engaging in sexual acts “without her consent” on two occasions in 2003, when she was just 15 years old. She alleges these incidents took place in Marathon, Florida, where Nick reportedly had sexual intercourse with her despite her repeated refusals.
Nick Carter has denied all accusations and countersued Ashley for defamation, claiming she conspired with other accusers to extort him for a settlement. However, the court dismissed Nick’s claims against Ashley in August.
Following the court's decision, Ashley expressed relief, stating, “I am so thankful that the voice of my 15-year-old self is finally being heard and believed. All I ever wanted was to set myself free. I hope anyone else struggling can do the same.”
Sources close to Nick’s legal team reported that his lawyers have filed a formal appeal of the court’s anti-SLAPP ruling, which means no legal fees will be awarded to Ashley until the appeal process concludes.
As part of his defense, Nick described Ashley as a “deranged” fan, citing her ex-boyfriend's testimony that she was a dedicated Backstreet Boys fan, even after the alleged incidents. The ex-boyfriend stated that during their seven-year relationship, Ashley never suggested she had been coerced or assaulted by Nick and maintained her admiration for him and the band throughout that time.
Nick’s lawyer emphasized that all of Ashley's fandom occurred after the alleged incidents, underscoring the defense's position.