Judges Dismiss Lawsuits Accusing Neil Gaiman of Sexual Assault

Three U.S. federal judges have rejected the claims, ruling the case belongs in New Zealand

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a case that drew international attention, three U.S. federal judges have now dismissed all lawsuits accusing British fantasy author Neil Gaiman of sexually assaulting his family's nanny in New Zealand four years ago. The author, known for global hits like American Gods and Coraline, faced multiple lawsuits filed by Scarlett Pavlovich, who worked for Gaiman and his wife, musician Amanda Palmer.

Why it matters

This case highlights how quickly unverified accusations can spread through the media, leading to high-profile lawsuits, before the legal system ultimately rejects the claims. It raises questions about the responsibility of media outlets to thoroughly investigate jurisdiction and evidence before reporting on celebrity scandals.

The details

Pavlovich alleged that Gaiman assaulted her while she worked as the couple's nanny in 2022, claiming she stayed on the job because she was broke and homeless. However, court after court in the U.S. rejected the filings, each one pointing out that New Zealand, where the alleged events occurred, was the proper jurisdiction. Gaiman's attorneys said their client and Pavlovich had a brief consensual relationship and pointed to a New Zealand police investigation that found her allegations to be 'meritless'.

  • In 2022, Pavlovich alleged that Gaiman assaulted her while she worked as the couple's nanny.
  • In October 2026, U.S. District Judge James Peterson in Wisconsin dismissed the first lawsuit, ruling that Pavlovich's claims belonged in a New Zealand forum.
  • On February 15, 2026, Judge Nathaniel Gorton in Boston threw out the Massachusetts filing for the same reason.

The players

Neil Gaiman

A British fantasy author known for global hits like American Gods and Coraline.

Scarlett Pavlovich

A woman who worked as a nanny for Gaiman and his wife, musician Amanda Palmer, and filed multiple lawsuits accusing Gaiman of sexual assault.

Amanda Palmer

A musician and Gaiman's wife.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Gaiman publicly denied ever taking part in non-consensual acts and called the article printed by New York magazine—which first gave Pavlovich's story a major spotlight—'false and deeply distressing.'”

— Neil Gaiman (bleedingfool.com)

“Gaiman's attorneys said that their client and Pavlovich had a brief consensual relationship and pointed to a New Zealand police investigation that found her allegations to be 'meritless.'”

— Gaiman's attorneys (bleedingfool.com)

What’s next

Pavlovich can refile the case in New Zealand, as the dismissals were 'without prejudice,' and Gaiman/Palmer have consented to service there, but New Zealand police closed the case without charges, supporting Gaiman's defense that the interactions were consensual.

The takeaway

This case highlights how quickly unverified accusations can spread through the media, leading to high-profile lawsuits, before the legal system ultimately rejects the claims. It raises questions about the responsibility of media outlets to thoroughly investigate jurisdiction and evidence before reporting on celebrity scandals.