Kesha Stuck With Defamation Finding in Suit Over Rape Claims (1)

A music producer who says singer Kesha Rose Sebert, known as Kesha, spread false allegations of rape and abuse doesn’t have to meet a higher standard of review for his defamation claims because while he’s an acclaimed producer, he isn’t a household name, a New York state court said Thursday.

The appeals court also upheld a judge’s finding that Kesha defamed the producer in a text to Lady Gaga.

Lukasz Gottwald, known as Dr. Luke, said he and Kesha signed a recording agreement in 2005, before the singer was well-known. The agreement required Kesha to provide Gottwald’s production company, KMI, ...