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Kesha Drops Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Dr. Luke in California — Find Out Why

Kesha and Dr. Luke
Leigh Vogel/Getty Images; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Kesha has dropped her sexual assault lawsuit against Dr. Luke in California, Daniel Petrocelli, a member of the singer’s legal team, told Us Weekly in a statement on Monday, August 1. According to Petrocelli, Kesha’s ended her legal battle against the producer to focus on releasing new music.

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“Kesha has dismissed her California action without prejudice while she pursues her appeal and other legal claims in the New York courts,” Petrocelli explained in a statement. “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 the single and an album as soon as possible.”

“My fight continues,” Kesha tweeted Monday night. “I need to get my music out. I am continuing to fight for my rights in New York. Thank you for all your support.”

“If Kesha is voluntarily dismissing her claims in the California case, it is because she has no chance of winning them,” Dr. Luke’s attorney Christine Lepera said in a statement to the Associated Press. “Kesha never should have brought her false and meritless claims against Dr. Luke in any court.”

As previously reported by Us Weekly, Kesha’s sexual abuse claims against Dr. Luke (born Lukasz Gottwald) were previously dismissed by a New York judge this past April. The judge ruled that the alleged rape and abuse occurred outside of the state and the statute of limitations had expired; therefore, the claims would not be considered going forward.

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The singer has been attempting to get out of her record contract with Dr. Luke, whose label, Kemosabe, is under Sony Music. The 29-year-old sued the famed producer in October 2014, alleging that Dr. Luke drugged and raped her.

Dr. Luke has repeatedly denied the allegations and has not been charged with any crime. He has sued Kesha for defamation.

“Imagine if you or somebody you loved was publicly accused of a rape you knew they didn’t do. Imagine that,” Dr. Luke tweeted in February. “It’s sad that she would turn a contract negotiation into something so horrendous and untrue. But I feel confident when this is over the lies will be exposed and the truth will prevail.”

Sony previously said in a statement that they’re unable to break Kesha’s contract with Dr. Luke, but that no one is preventing her from creating music.

“Sony has made it possible for Kesha to record without any connection, involvement or interaction with Luke whatsoever, but Sony is not in a position to terminate the contractual relationship between Luke and Kesha,” Scott A. Edelman, an attorney representing the music conglomerate, previously told The New York Times. “Sony is doing everything it can to support the artist in these circumstances, but is legally unable to terminate the contract to which it is not a party.”

Christina Garibaldi and Ian Drew discussed all the latest during Us Weekly’s Facebook Live News Update. Check it out!

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