Grammy-winning producer The-Dream seeks dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit

The-Dream, real name Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, was accused of rape in June by a former protégé, Chanaaz Mangroe.

Grammy award-winning producer and songwriter The-Dream is attempting to have significant portions of a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him dismissed.

The 47-year-old, whose real name is Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, was accused of rape and sexual battery in June by a former protégé, Chanaaz Mangroe, who performed under the name Channii Monroe.

In response, Mr. Gesteelde-Diamant, known for writing songs for Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Mariah Carey, denied the allegations.

On Friday, his legal team filed a motion to have the case dismissed, describing the claims as "a textbook example of a 'shotgun pleading'."

The term 'shotgun pleading' refers to a complaint that lists multiple allegations without giving the opposing side fair notice of the specific claims.

In court documents reviewed by BBC News, the lawyers requested several amendments to Ms. Mangroe's complaint, asserting that certain paragraphs are "immaterial" and "scandalous."

They are seeking to have the rape claim dismissed, arguing that rape is not recognized as a separate civil cause of action under California law.

They also contended that the sex trafficking claim fails to include necessary elements such as a "commercial sex act."

His legal team also requested that his label, Contra Paris, LLC, be removed from the lawsuit, arguing that it is based in Delaware and, therefore, does not fall under personal jurisdiction in California.

“The complaint is a textbook example of a ‘shotgun pleading’ and must be dismissed in its entirety for failing to attribute specific factual allegations to each defendant,” stated Desirée F. Moore, an attorney representing Mr. Gesteelde-Diamant.

She further argued that Mangroe's complaint "contains dozens of allegations that are utterly irrelevant to her sexual battery and sex trafficking claims and are, instead, designed solely to smear Diamant's name and reputation."

According to the lawsuit filed in June, Ms. Mangroe alleges that Mr. Gesteelde-Diamant repeatedly coerced her into having sex, strangled her, and on one occasion recorded an intimate encounter and then threatened to show it to others.