Steven Tyler denies 1970s sexual assault of a teen, seeks lawsuit dismissal

Steven Tyler denied claims that he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in the 1970s. In his response, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court last week, Tyler “denies, generally and specifically, each and every allegation and cause of action” detailed in the complaint filed by plaintiff Julia Misley. Tyler “performed various acts of criminal sexual conduct upon Plaintiff,” according to the lawsuit. The singer also said he had “immunity or qualified immunity” as her “caregiver and/or guardian.” Misley’s lawsuit stated that Tyler received guardianship in 1974 after making “various promises and inducements” to her mother. Tyler also maintains that Misley “has not suffered any injury or damage as a result of any action by Defendant.” The former “American Idol” judge requested in his response that “the Complaint be dismissed with prejudice and in its entirety.” In a statement shared Wednesday, Misley’s attorney, Jeff Anderson, accused the singer and his legal team of “gaslighting her by falsely claiming that she ‘consented’ and that the pain he inflicted was ‘justified and in good faith.’” Anderson added: “Tyler has spent the past 40 years continually hurting, shaming, profiting from, and retraumatizing this courageous survivor.” Tyler’s legal representatives did not immediately respond when contacted by The Times on Wednesday.