Musician Alice Glass has secured a legal victory against her alleged physical and sexual abuser Ethan Kath, after a judge threw out Kath’s push to have the dismissal of his defamation claim reversed.
Glass was also awarded $28,000 in attorney’s fees after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Samantha Jessner ruled against her former Crystal Castles bandmate.
Glass accused Kath of serious and prolonged abuse in a statement posted to her website last year.
In it, Glass claimed Kath perpetrated “almost a decade of abuse, manipulation and psychological control,” including coercing her into having sex with the threat of expelling her from the group.
Kath vehemently denied the allegations, and issued a defamation lawsuit against Glass.
That suit was thrown out after a judge deemed it violated a Californian statute designed to protect “the valid exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and petition for the redress of grievances.”
The musician changed legal representation and attempted to reverse that dismissal, claiming his first lawyer botched his claim. However, Jessner ruled the dismissal didn’t need to be vacated just because Kath claims his initial legal challenge was flawed.
Kath maintains his innocence.
In a statement provided to Pitchfork, Glass’ lawyer said “the case is over.”
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or harassment, please get in touch with 1800 RESPECT.
