Kesha drops sexual abuse case against Dr. Luke

Kesha has dropped her lawsuit in California against music producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, her lawyer told EW in a statement on Monday. The pop star, who has alleged that Luke sexually and emotionally abused her, will continue to pursue other legal claims against the producer in New York, but in the meantime wants to release new music, according to the statement.

“Kesha has dismissed her California action without prejudice while she pursues her appeal and other legal claims in the New York courts,” Daniel M. Petrocelli, Kesha’s counsel, said in a statement to EW. “Kesha is focused on getting back to work and has delivered 28 new songs to the record label. We have conveyed to Sony Music and the label Kesha’s strong desire to release her next album and single as soon as possible.”

Luke’s lawyer Christine Lepera responded to the move in a statement: “If Kesha is voluntarily dismissing her claims in the California case, it is because she has no chance of winning them. Earlier this year, she lost her meritless counterclaims against Dr. Luke in the New York Action. Recently, the California Court invited Dr. Luke and the other defendants to move to dismiss Kesha’s claims in that action. Kesha never should have brought her false and meritless claims against Dr. Luke in any court. Dr. Luke’s defamation and other claims against Kesha are still proceeding.”

The pop singer initially filed the California complaint in October 2014, alleging Dr. Luke sexually and emotionally abused her. Dr. Luke and his lawyers have denied all claims of abuse. A California judge put the lawsuit on hold in June 2015, citing a clause in Kesha’s contract that placed any dispute within New York’s jurisdiction.

But New York courts have not sided with Kesha. A call for a preliminary injunction from her recording contract with Dr. Luke’s imprint Kemosabe Records — which is owned by Sony — was denied in February; it is now moving to an appeals court. And in April, a New York judge dismissed Kesha’s legal attempts to void her contract and classify the alleged sexual abuse as a hate crime.

Since the beginning of litigation, Kesha has released only one new song: She teamed up with producer Zedd for the single “True Colors” in April. Kesha recently announced a 17-date tour that, according to her, will feature previously unheard music.