Neil Gaiman’s troubles appear to be escalating. After multiple women accused the renowned author of sexual misconduct earlier this month—following a British podcast, Master, that released six episodes detailing allegations from five women—he is now facing a federal lawsuit under the Trafficking Victim Protection Act. The lawsuit, filed by Scarlett Pavlovich, a former nanny for Gaiman and his wife, Amanda Palmer, alleges sexual abuse, assault, rape, and coercion by Gaiman.
The 64-year-old Sandman author has denied all allegations of non-consensual sexual activity, but the legal battle is far from over. Palmer is currently in the midst of divorce proceedings with Gaiman, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Pavlovich’s attorneys have filed the lawsuit in Wisconsin, where Gaiman owns a home, while also pursuing separate lawsuits in Massachusetts and New York federal courts, which focus solely on Palmer. This division is due to the uncertainty about Palmer’s current residence. The lawsuit against Palmer will proceed in whichever district she chooses, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit alleges that Pavlovich, who met Palmer in Auckland in 2020 at the age of 22, was sexually assaulted multiple times during her time working at the couple’s home in New Zealand. Pavlovich claims the first instance of rape occurred in February 2022 when she was asked to babysit the couple’s son in Waiheke. She describes further instances of sexual violence that allegedly occurred while she was employed by the pair.
Despite being told she would be compensated, Pavlovich claims she was not paid for her work until months after her employment ended. The lawsuit accuses Palmer of “knowingly recruiting” Pavlovich to perform unpaid labor, calling her an “economic hostage” to both Palmer and Gaiman.
Pavlovich is seeking significant damages, which are expected to exceed $1,000,000. The damages include compensation for physical, emotional, and psychological harm, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, as well as past and future economic losses and career opportunities. She is also seeking punitive damages, legal fees, and other expenses.
In the wake of the allegations, Gaiman’s career has suffered, with publishers distancing themselves from his work and production studios opting not to adapt his projects for screen.