EXCLUSIVE: Kesha slams Dr Luke saying he hired the Church of Scientology's go-to 'spin doctor' which launched a smear campaign against her before their legal battle
- Dr Luke hired the PR guru used by the Church of Scientology before his defamation legal battle with Kesha
- The pop star now alleges the LA-based crisis firm Sitrick and Company leaked and planed negative stories about the singer to ruin her publicly
- She claims it is refusing to answer questions or hand over documents and communications with Dr Luke
- Kesha said the documents reveal Dr Luke's 'engaged in a coordinated media campaign regarding [her] alleged statements that continues to this day'
- Dr Luke is suing Kesha for defamation, claiming she has been trying to blacklist him from the industry with her allegations that he drugged and raped her
Dr Luke hired the 'spin doctor' used by the Church of Scientology as his celebrity PR crisis guru at the start of his legal battle with Kesha - and newly filed court documents allege he used them in an attempt to smear the pop star's name.
Los Angeles based crisis manager Michael Sitrick and his firm, hired byrRecord producer Dr. Luke, is accused of leaking and planting negative stories about the singer to ruin her publicly, according to legal documents obtained by DailyMail.com.
Kesha, 30, has filed a 'motion to compel' against the PR firm demanding they turn over any documents or emails and be grilled during a deposition.
Company founder Sitrick is known as a bull-dog in the industry and has worked with a string of big celebrity names, and has notably helped the Church of Scientology with its 'public relations.'
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![Kesha alleged in a new lawsuit that Dr Luke hired Sitrick and Company, the PR 'spin doctors' for the Church of Scientology, to smear her name](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/03/19/42CE6EB300000578-4758476-image-m-9_1501785086441.jpg)
![The Church of Scientology has worked with Sitrick and Company for several years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/03/19/42CAC61000000578-4758476-image-m-4_1501784670627.jpg)
Kesha alleged in a new lawsuit that Dr Luke hired Sitrick and Company, the PR 'spin doctors' for the Church of Scientology, to smear her name. DailyMail.com has learned Kesha has filed a motion to compel to have the firm hand over documents
He has defended under fire high-profile clients like former NFL star Michael Vick during his dog fighting scandal, radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh following the Sandra Fluke controversy, magician David Copperfield while he was being investigated for rape (charges that were later dropped), basketball legend Kobe Bryant in his divorce battle and NY Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez in the MLB doping scandal.
He has also repped socialite Paris Hilton and bad boy rapper Chris Brown.
The Church of Scientology worked with Sitrick and Company for several years, including allegedly asking the firm to defend the church against the release of Lawrence Wright's book 'Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief' and the HBO documentary based on the book.
Kesha accused Sitrick and Company of refusing to answer questions or hand over documents related to the defamation suit.
![Michael Sitrick (pictured) has defended many high-profile clients including NFL star Michael Vick during his dog fighting scandal and NY Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez in the MLB doping scandal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/03/19/42F06F3000000578-4758476-image-m-13_1501786351959.jpg)
Michael Sitrick (pictured) has defended many high-profile clients including NFL star Michael Vick during his dog fighting scandal and NY Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez in the MLB doping scandal
![The Church of Scientology allegedly asked Sitrick and Company to defend the church amid the release of Lawrence Wright's book 'Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/03/20/42F187F900000578-4758476-image-a-15_1501789390914.jpg)
The Church of Scientology allegedly asked Sitrick and Company to defend the church amid the release of Lawrence Wright's book 'Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief'
The singer, however, concedes that she too hired a PR firm, Sunshine Sachs, in a bid to communicate with the press.
In the paperwork she slams Dr Luke, 43, for attacking her for allegedly conspiring with her team to concoct a 'malicious' press campaign in an attempt to destroy his career.
She points out that Dr Luke - whose real name is Luke Gottwald - hired Sitrick and Company around the same time he commenced the New York litigation - meaning he was embarking on his own press campaign.
According to the filing Kesha - full name Kesha Sebert - says hiring a crisis PR firm in high-profile cases like this is normal to deal with the 'crush' of media interest.
She believes the documents possessed by Sitrick and Company – including their communications with Dr Luke about her and all communications with the media – will prove that his statements were 'malicious' and reveal Dr Luke 'engaged in a coordinated media campaign regarding Ms. Sebert's alleged statements that continues to this day.'
The singer accuses him of filing motions to publicize previous court proceedings, and generally promoting 'salacious and disparaging' allegations against her and her team, including on the day of her recent album release.
Kesha is demanding the judge order Sitrick and Company to turn over all records and communications.
Dr Luke's defamation suit accuses Kesha of trying to 'blacklist' Dr Luke from the music industry since 2014.
![Kesha alleged in her lawsuit the documents will prove Dr Luke's statements were 'malicious' and that he attempted to ruin her reputation through a media campaign](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/03/19/42D58EC300000578-4758476-image-m-10_1501785449513.jpg)
Kesha alleged in her lawsuit the documents will prove Dr Luke's statements were 'malicious' and that he attempted to ruin her reputation through a media campaign
![Kesha has also hired a PR firm, saying doing so is normal to deal with the 'crush' of media interest surrounding high-profile cases](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/03/19/42BD24A000000578-4758476-Kesha_has_also_hired_a_PR_firm_saying_it_is_normal_to_deal_with_-a-14_1501786589482.jpg)
Kesha has also hired a PR firm, saying doing so is normal to deal with the 'crush' of media interest surrounding high-profile cases
It claimed the platinum-selling singer and her reps 'hatched a campaign...designed to ruin Gottwald's business and reputation,' by publicizing her 'experience' making others unwilling to work with him.
Kesha's 'experience' includes allegations that Dr Luke 'sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally' abused her since the beginning of their professional relationship.
In a counter-suit she alleged he drugged and raped her on two occasions, made threats against Kesha and her family, and called her derogatory names.
Dr Luke has not been charged with any crime and denies the allegations.
Attached to the latest motion is a deposition transcript taken from Kesha's former lawyer Mark Geragos, which was taken earlier this year
Respected civil rights attorney Geragos is questioned on his public statements about the case in which he defended Kesha.
![In Kesha's counter-suit against Dr Luke, she alleged he drugged and raped her on two occasions. She also claims he threatened her family and called her derogatory names](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/03/19/42E08F6A00000578-4758476-image-a-11_1501786008653.jpg)
In Kesha's counter-suit against Dr Luke, she alleged he drugged and raped her on two occasions. She also claims he threatened her family and called her derogatory names
He responds that the only statements he made were in direct response to Dr Luke's crisis publicist Sitrick, who he accuses of 'spinning all over the place.'
When questioned further, Gergaos is adamant he only spoke to the press due to Sitrick 'actively leaking and planting stories' on behalf of Dr Luke.
He added that he believes Sitrick was still under contract with Dr Luke and is still planting stories for him.
But when Geragos is asked for evidence of his claims he insists that information comes under attorney-client privilege.
Kesha's former lawyer is grilled on whether he leaked the lawsuit documents prior to them being filed in the court – which he denies – but then blasts Sitrick accusing him of being close to the head of an entertainment website, saying he was the one sending out copies of legal documents and spinning the story in favor of Dr Luke in the press.
Geragos argues that Dr Luke's lawyers slammed Kesha in the press, defamed her and accused her of extortion.
At one point, the record producer's lawyer asked Geragos a question about Dr Luke to which he responded, 'Lukasz Gottwald. He is not really a doctor; right?'
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