Judge Dismisses Most Claims in Steven Tyler Lawsuit, One Allegation Moves Forward

A Los Angeles judge has dismissed most of a sexual assault lawsuit filed against Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler, allowing only one claim to move forward.

The lawsuit was brought in 2022 by Julia Misley, who accused Tyler of having a sexual relationship with her when she was a teenager in the 1970s. She included claims of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED).

In a ruling issued April 28, the court dismissed nearly all of Misley’s claims. The only part of the case that will proceed is an IIED claim tied to an alleged incident in 1974, when Misley says she was 16 and had sex with Tyler in California. According to court filings, the two were later in a relationship and living together in Massachusetts.

Tyler’s attorney said the decision was a major victory, noting that the case will now focus on a single alleged incident from more than 50 years ago. A trial is currently scheduled for August 31.

Earlier rulings had already removed parts of Misley’s complaint related to Tyler’s memoirs, published in 1997 and 2011. Tyler argued those claims were protected by free speech and were filed too late under the statute of limitations. The court agreed to strike those portions.

Misley initially did not name Tyler in her lawsuit but later identified him. Her claims were similar to statements Tyler made in his 2011 memoir, where he described a relationship with a 16-year-old girl. He did not name her in the book.

Tyler has denied all allegations. He has said the relationship was consensual and argued in court that he had legal guardianship at the time.

A separate lawsuit filed in 2023 by another woman accusing Tyler of assault in 1975 was dismissed earlier this year. A judge in that case ruled the claims were brought too late.