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Swift, 27, is expected to take the witness
stand during the trial in U.S. District Court to testify about
the incident, which resulted in broadcaster David Mueller's
firing from Colorado music station KYGO-FM.
The bitter litigation centers on Swift's allegations that
Mueller slipped his hand under her dress and grabbed her bare
bottom as they posed together during a meet-and-greet session
before her June 2, 2013, concert in Denver.
"It was not an accident, it was completely intentional, and I
have never been so sure of anything in my life," Swift said in
describing the incident during a deposition.
Mueller, 55, sued first, claiming the singer-songwriter had
falsely accused him of the groping and pressured station
management to oust him from his $150,000-per-year job at the
station, according to the lawsuit.
Swift countersued for assault and battery, and that became part
of the same trial.
Mueller denies that anything inappropriate occurred during the
brief backstage encounter in which he stood on one side of the
pop star and his girlfriend on the other.
“The contention that Mr. Mueller lifted up Ms. Swift’s skirt and
grabbed her bottom, while standing with his girlfriend, in front
of Ms. Swift’s photographer and (her) highly trained security
personnel ... is nonsense,” the lawsuit said.
Mueller is suing under tort claims of interference with
contractual obligations and prospective business relations.
Jurors will determine what monetary damages, if any, he is
entitled to if Swift is found liable.
In court filings, Swift said while her manager informed KYGO
management about the incident, she did not demand that Mueller
be fired.
The radio station conducted its own investigation, and two days
after the incident fired Mueller for violating the morality
clause of his contract, court documents show.
The judge has placed a gag order on all parties, and attorneys
for both sides did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Swift, one of the most successful contemporary music artists,
earned $170 million between June 2015 and June 2016 following a
world tour and her best-selling “1989” album, according to
Forbes Magazine.
(Reporting by Keith Coffman; Editing by Dan Whitcomb and David
Gregorio)
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