Taylor Swift’s claim that a DJ groped her bare rear end during a concert meet-and-greet “defies credibility,” the DJ’s legal team argued in court papers this week.
In a response to Swift’s motion for summary judgment in a lawsuit brought against the “Shake it Off” singer by DJ David Mueller, Mueller’s lawyers contend that Swift’s claim that he grabbed her “bare ass” is implausible, because so many people, including Mueller’s girlfriend, were present during the alleged incident.
“At all relevant times, the tent was occupied by Mr. Mueller, Ms. Swift, Shannon Melcher, Ms. Swift’s photographer, at least two of Ms. Swift’s assistants, and at least one of Ms. Swift’s professionally trained security guards. Contrary to Defendants’ representations, none of the witnesses reported seeing Mr. Mueller put his hand under Ms. Swift’s dress and/or grab her bare ass,” Mueller’s response reads.
“The contention that Mr. Mueller lifted up Ms. Swift’s skirt and grabbed her bare ass (while standing with his girlfriend, in front of Ms. Swift’s photographer and other staff, as well as Ms. Swift’s highly trained security personnel, during an employer sponsored, VIP, backstage meet-and-greet) defies credibility.”
Mueller also claims that photographic evidence supports that he did not inappropriately touch Swift.
“This is particularly true given that Ms. Swift’s skirt is in place and is not being lifted by Mr. Mueller’s hand in the alleged photograph of the incident, and given that Ms. Swift acknowledged in her deposition that Mr. Mueller is not touching her inappropriately in the photograph,” the court documents read.
Swift was sued by Mueller in September 2015. Mueller says he was fired after being accused of “grabbing Ms. Swift’s bottom” at a meet-and-greet at Denver’s Pepsi Center in June 2013. The radio personality, who goes by the professional name “Jackson,” has adamantly denied the accusation. Swift subsequently filed a countersuit against Mueller.
Mueller’s response this week went on to characterize the investigation into the alleged incident by his former employer, KYGO, as “a sham.”
Despite Mueller’s denials,Swift has maintained that he did in fact grope her, and last month won a bid to keep an “extremely personal and sensitive” photo from the encounter under seal, on the grounds that the photo would likely be disseminated to the public for “scandalous and prurient interests.”
In a deposition taken in July, Swift said that she became “shocked and withdrawn” after allegedly being groped by Mueller.
“As soon as he grabbed my ass, I became shocked and withdrawn and was barely able to say ‘Thanks for coming,’ which is what I say to everybody,” Swift testified.
“I was barely able to get the words out, and it was like somebody switched the lights off in my personality,” Swift continued.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.