Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Accusing Steven Tyler of Sexual Assault

A federal judge in Manhattan has dismissed a lawsuit accusing Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler of sexually assaulting former teenage model Jeanne Bellino in the mid-1970s. The judge ruled that Bellino cannot recover damages under a 2000 New York City law protecting victims of gender-motivated violence, as the alleged assaults occurred in 1975 when Bellino was 17 and Tyler was 27.

The judge also rejected Bellino's claims under more recent state laws, the Adult Survivors Act and Child Victims Act, stating they did not apply to her case. Tyler had "vehemently" denied the allegations, which included that he assaulted Bellino in a phone booth and later in a hotel.

In the ruling, the judge said the city law was not retroactive, and Bellino's battery claim would have expired on her 19th birthday. The dismissal of the lawsuit was with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again.

Tyler has also defended against a similar lawsuit in Los Angeles, where plaintiff Julia Misley claimed he sexually assaulted her in 1973 when she was 16 and he was 25.

Why this matters: The dismissal of this high-profile case highlights the legal challenges faced by survivors of decades-old sexual abuse in pursuing justice. It also underscores the ongoing public reckoning with allegations of sexual misconduct by powerful figures in the entertainment industry.

The judge's decision was based on the non-retroactive nature of the laws Bellino sought to apply to her case and the expiration of the statute of limitations. Tyler continues to face another sexual assault lawsuit in Los Angeles involving allegations from the 1970s.

Key Takeaways

• Federal judge dismissed lawsuit against Aerosmith's Steven Tyler
• Lawsuit accused Tyler of sexually assaulting former teen model in 1975
• Judge ruled laws did not apply retroactively, statute of limitations expired
• Tyler also facing similar lawsuit in Los Angeles over 1973 allegations
• Dismissal highlights legal challenges for survivors of decades-old abuse