Key Points
- Multiple lawsuits filed against author Neil Gaiman have reportedly been dismissed by U.S. federal judges.
- The suits were brought by Scarlett Pavlovich, a former nanny employed by Gaiman and his ex-wife Amanda Palmer.
- Pavlovich alleged assaults occurred in New Zealand in 2022, but judges ruled the cases must be pursued there.
- Gaiman has categorically denied the allegations, with his attorneys arguing the relationship was consensual.
- The dismissals came from courts in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York between June and October 2025.
Background of the Case
Author Neil Gaiman faced multiple lawsuits in the United States alleging sexual assault. The claims were filed by Scarlett Pavlovich, who previously worked as a nanny for Gaiman and Amanda Palmer’s child.
Pavlovich alleged that Gaiman assaulted her in February 2022 while she was employed by the couple in New Zealand. She filed suits in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York in early 2025, citing uncertainty over jurisdiction due to the couple’s residences.
Court Decisions
According to reports, U.S. judges dismissed the lawsuits on jurisdictional grounds:
- Wisconsin: Judge James Peterson dismissed the case in October 2025, ruling that Pavlovich must pursue legal action in New Zealand, where the alleged incidents occurred.
- Massachusetts: Judge Nathaniel Gorton nullified the filing for the same reason.
- New York: Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil initially accepted the filing in June 2025, but subsequent rulings aligned with the jurisdictional issue.
Gaiman’s attorneys argued that while he and Pavlovich had a brief personal relationship, it involved consensual physical intimacy.
Allegations and Context
Pavlovich claimed she was homeless when she met Palmer in Auckland in 2020, later becoming the couple’s nanny. In her filings, she alleged repeated assaults by Gaiman beginning in 2022, saying he took advantage of her vulnerability.
Gaiman has consistently denied the accusations, issuing a personal statement rejecting the claims.
What Happens Next?
With the U.S. cases dismissed, Pavlovich would need to pursue legal action in New Zealand, where the alleged assaults took place. For now, the dismissals mark a significant development in a case that has drawn widespread attention due to Gaiman’s prominence in the literary world.
