Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock
RapperNellyis speaking out after a woman filed a new lawsuit against him on Thursday claiming that he sexually assaulted her after one of his concerts in England last year.
“I’ve been quiet for some time,” Nelly, 44, tells PEOPLE in a statement. “But these baseless allegations hurt more than just me. The truth will come out, and I will be vindicated.”
RELATED VIDEO: Rapper Nelly Denies That He Sexually Assaulted a Woman While on Tour After Early Morning Arrest
The woman also claims that after she rebuffed his advances, Nelly got aggressive and clenched his fist. When she asked if he was going to hit her, he responded: “No I’m just frustrated. I’m not used to not getting my way, just do it.”
Nelly’s girlfriend,Shantel Jackson, is also named in the lawsuit and being sued for defamation because she released astatement on Instagramin January saying the anonymous woman’s claims were false because she was “at those venues, in the dressing rooms, and on that tour bus” during the date the alleged incident occurred.
Nelly, though, says that bringing Jackson into this is “unfair and goes too far.”
The alleged incident occurred just two months after another woman, Monique Greene, claimed Nellyraped her on his tour busin October 2017 after a concert in Washington. Nelly was subsequentlyarrestedon suspicion of rape, but prosecutors dropped the case after Greenerefused to testifyand did not file any charges.
After prosecutors dropped the case, Greene filed alawsuit against Nellyfor sexual assault and defamation. Nelly went on tocountersue.
“I own my actions and take responsibility for my conduct with Monique Greene,” he says. “We had CONSENSUAL sex after meeting in a club. Period. I have been living in the limelight for my entire adult life. I have had zero allegations or issues in the past. I knew better! And for that I had to deal with the repercussions of my poor choice. I am repairing the trust that I broke with Shantel, I have apologized to my family and friends for the embarrassment I have caused them. And, I am committed to be a better man.”
“Monique [Greene] pursued civil legal action against me, when no criminal charges were filed or pursued,” he continues. “I responded with civil claims of my own against her. Ultimately, we both agreed to dismiss our claims against each other.”
Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum,told PEOPLEin a statement at the time that “both parties have mutually agreed to drop the lawsuit. No settlement or money changed hands.”
However, the accuser’s attorney, Karen Koehler, disputed Rosenblum’s claim that no money changed hands between the pair, calling that information “false” in a statement toThe Blast.
Now, Nelly alleges that the same lawyer who represented Greene has filed the Jane Doe lawsuit in question.
“I do NOT plan on walking away quietly,” he says. “I have to speak up for my family and for the real victims strong enough to come forward and face people that have actually assaulted them.”
He adds: “I want to thank Shantel, my family, friends, and fans that have stood next to me through all of this, and know my real character.”
source: people.com
