Neil Gaiman, 64, the acclaimed author, has filed a motion to dismiss a civil lawsuit accusing him of rape and sexual assault, a case brought forward last month by Scarlett Pavlovich, a former nanny to Gaiman and his ex-partner, Amanda Palmer, 48.
The claim, filed on Tuesday, argues that the lawsuit should be heard in New Zealand, where the alleged abuse occurred, rather than in the United States.
Pavlovich's lawsuit, filed on February 3, 2023, claims that Gaiman sexually assaulted her starting from her first day of work, February 4, 2022. She alleges that Gaiman suggested she take a bath in the garden before the assault took place.
In response, Gaiman denies the allegations, calling Pavlovich a "fantasist" who fabricated her story. He argues that the relationship between the two was consensual, providing WhatsApp messages as evidence to back up his claims. Gaiman insists that Pavlovich showed no signs of discomfort or non-consent, and he points to messages from the next day where she thanks him for a "lovely night."
In his motion to dismiss, Gaiman's legal team included screenshots of messages between Gaiman and Pavlovich, suggesting that she had actively engaged in the relationship. One message reads: "Thank you for a lovely lovely night ~ wow x," which Gaiman's lawyers argue indicates consent.
Gaiman also referenced a message from Pavlovich in which she allegedly denied any claims of abuse, stating: "Oh my God. Neil! I never said that… Rape? WHAT? This is the first I have heard of this." Another message two days later states: "It was consensual – how many times do I have to fucking tell everyone."
This lawsuit is just one of several accusations against Gaiman. In total, nine women have now accused the author of sexual misconduct, eight of whom were interviewed for a January article in New York Magazine. Despite the growing number of allegations, Gaiman has consistently denied engaging in non-consensual sexual activity.
Gaiman released a statement on his website in January, where he firmly stated, "I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever."
Pavlovich's lawsuit was filed across multiple jurisdictions: Wisconsin, New York, and Massachusetts. Gaiman's motion to dismiss was filed in Wisconsin, with his legal team requesting that the case be heard in New Zealand instead, citing where the alleged abuse took place.
Alongside the allegations against Gaiman, Pavlovich’s lawsuit also accuses Amanda Palmer of human trafficking and negligence. Palmer, who divorced Gaiman in November 2022, has stated that she is unable to comment due to custody and divorce proceedings but has expressed being "profoundly disturbed" by the allegations.
Just days after the lawsuit was filed, Palmer addressed the situation on Instagram, stating: "I 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.”
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Gaiman's motion to dismiss claims that the allegations are false and part of a plan by Pavlovich to attract negative publicity. His legal team argues that the specific details of the abuse described in the lawsuit are entirely invented.
Despite the ongoing legal drama, Gaiman's defense focuses on the WhatsApp messages to prove the consensual nature of his relationship with Pavlovich. However, Pavlovich has publicly admitted that reading through these messages is difficult, as she struggles with what she describes as "delusion."
