All Time Low is nearing a legal settlement after a long-running defamation investigation revealed that sexual misconduct allegations against the group that surfaced in 2021 were actually part of an orchestrated smear campaign. In a new statement, the band reveal that they have asked for the defamation case to be dropped while they try to deal with the matter privately.

The initial claims

In 2021, reports surfaced on social media accusing the band members of sexually inappropriate behavior with underage fans. A woman detailed a TikTok story about being invited onto the band’s bus when she was 13 and claiming they offered her beer in exchange for her bra, leaving clues as to who the band were.

Then a second woman came forward, calling out the band’s Jack Barakat for allegedly sexually assaulting her while she was a minor. A third person then came forward, claiming that “97” allegations had been made against the band.

How All Time Low originally responded

As the allegations began to gain traction on social media, the band issued a firm denial of any wrongdoing. “The allegations against us are absolutely and unequivocally false,” said in a statement in October 2021. They also added that they initially did not comment because of the inconsistencies in the stories and that they gave rise to a lie. “We must state with absolute certainty that what is being said about us is completely and utterly false,” they commented.

Taking the next step in February 2022, they then launched a libel suit against three accusers. At the time, the complaint said the accusers’ anonymity left them “no choice but to mobilize and use the civil justice system to identify those responsible, prove the defamatory statements false, and seek justice.”

In December 2022, a court sided with the band saying that Twitter had to identify the anonymous person who posted their accusation against the group.

What the libel investigation found

In a new court filing obtained by Rolling StoneAll Time Low’s lawyers say their investigation into the allegations against Barakat and his band members has now proven they “were false and malicious online rumours”.

Attorney Michael B. Garfinkel said in a statement: “The investigation proved what All Time Low has known all along – the allegations in the posts are completely and utterly false. However, it took considerable time and legal resources to fully assure All Time Low’s business and creative partners, who placed their trust in the band, that the dismissed claims were irresponsible and without merit.”

According to the complaint, the first allegation was quickly debunked by a friend of the person who posted about the band asking for her bra when she was 13. The friend claimed she attended the concert with Doe 1, shared a photo purportedly showing her at the event, and said Doe 1’s claims “never happened.” The lawsuit alleged that Doe 1 then admitted to posting her statements of “being mean to a peer” and made her video private.

As for the third person who claimed there were 97 allegations against the group, the person deactivated their account after posting and later retracted their comment.

That left the second accuser who detailed Barakat’s alleged assault when he was 15.

According to a statement from the band’s lawyer, it took subpoenas and court orders to discover that the post actually came from multiple people who “wrote an elaborate, fabricated story posing as a fan who advocated in unbelievable and fake way that he traveled with the band. for more than 10 years.”

The lawyer added: “There is no such person and no such incidents have occurred. Rather, an investigation revealed that Doe 2 was a smear campaign orchestrated by several people posing as a fake fan. Investigations identified individuals behind the anonymous post who went to great lengths to conceal their identity.”

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But instead of continuing his pursuit, Garfinkel said in a statement to Rolling Stone: “All Time Low chose to handle the matter privately and protect the identities of those behind Doe 2 rather than pursue litigation at this time”.

What All Time Low Said After Asking To Be Fired For Defamation

“This has been a difficult time for our band as we have struggled to remove and debunk these false and harmful online rumors,” the band said in a statement.

“We remain deeply grateful to those who have supported us throughout this legal process, including our fans, colleagues and collaborators. With this case dismissed, we remain committed to continuing to promote a healthy and safe environment both at our concerts and within our fan community, and we look forward to the next chapter of All Time Low,” they concluded.