LOS ANGELES - A hit-making music producer has asked a judge to dismiss allegations that he sexually abused pop singer Kesha from a civil lawsuit, court filings show.
Attorneys for Lukasz Gottwald, known professionally as Dr. Luke, argue in a Monday court filing that Kesha's claim that she was raped by her mentor is barred by the statute of limitations.
Kesha sued Gottwald last month claiming the producer subjected her to nearly a decade of emotional and sexual abuse. She did not state when the alleged rape occurred, and Gottwald's attorneys contend the allegation should be thrown out from the case because it could not have occurred within the past two years.
The producer's filings note that in a 2011 deposition, Kesha denied that Gottwald made any sexual advances toward her. Portions of the deposition were unsealed by a New York judge last month.
Kesha's attorney Mark Geragos has said that Gottwald threatened his client that he would harm her if she ever discussed the alleged rape.
Gottwald's lawyers are also seeking the dismissal of a claim of gender violence, which they state has a three year statute of limitations. If dismissed, six other allegations including sexual harassment, civil harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress would remain in the case, although those might be the subject of later motions.
