Oscar-nominated composer Danny Elfman is denying allegations from a woman who accused him of sexual abuse between 1997 and 2002. He claims the lawsuit was “maliciously filed” for the “purpose of embarrassing him” with the aim of extorting settlement money.

In October, a 47-year-old woman in Maryland came forward with allegations against Elfman that the Grammy winner groomed and abused her while she was a student at the New York Film Academy. She sued Elfman, who was 47 at the time of the alleged incident, and his company, Musica de la Muerta, in Los Angeles Superior Court for sexual assault, gender violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment and negligence. Jane Doe’s accuser’s lawsuit echoed accusations from composer Nomi Abadi, who claimed in July that Elfman failed to pay part of a settlement reached in 2018 to resolve a similar case.

Elfman claimed Monday that he “did not commit sexual assault, made no inappropriate advances, and never inappropriately touched his accuser.”

“Plaintiff and her attorneys realized that her absurd allegations would hold no weight in a court of law and chose to launch a disinformation campaign, taking her dishonest complaint to the media days before it was filed in court or made public became available on the court’s website. role,” wrote Camille Vasquez, an attorney for Elfman.

In response to allegations of sexual assault, attorneys for the defendants often claim that their clients were contacted before a lawsuit was filed in an attempt to extort money. Marty Singer, who represented Bill Cosby in a Judy Huth lawsuit, made a similar argument.

Elfman’s accuser’s complaint revolved around allegations that the composer “removed all of his clothing until he was completely naked and walked around naked in front of the plaintiff, exposing his genitals.” She said Elfman told her in 2002, “Every time you’ve ever slept next to me, I’ve masturbated next to you.”

According to the filing, Elfman also claimed that the conduct mentioned in the complaint “would not constitute sexual assault” even if it were true. He argued: “Plaintiff’s complaint specifically states that she was an adult at the time of the alleged conduct. Nor does the complaint allege that Mr. Elfman touched Plaintiff in an unlawful or inappropriate manner because he never did so.”

Michael Reck, Elfman’s attorney, did not immediately respond The Hollywood Reporter‘s request for comment.

Elfman last appeared at The Hollywood Bowl in October as part of Disney’s “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert.”