A photo of Swift being allegedly groped by a former Denver radio host has been published by TMZ, despite a judge’s order to seal photos related to the case.
The gossip site posted an image of Swift and DJ David Mueller on Saturday morning, which shows the ex-“Ryno & Jackson” show host’s hand placed behind Swift’s dress backstage following her 2013 Pepsi Center performance.
In Swift’s deposition, she claims Mueller in no way accidentally grabbed her, but intentionally put his hand under her dress.
“Right as the moment came for us to pose for the photo, he took his hand and put it up my dress and grabbed onto my a– cheek and no matter how much I scooted over it was still there,” she said.
On Oct. 21, the “Picture to Burn” singer asked a judge to order the photos be sealed because they could sway a jury, TMZ reported. A judge ruled that the dissemination of the image might “complicate jury selection.”
The photo published on TMZ is reportedly one of a batch of images that Swift found “extremely personal and sensitive.” The 26-year-old pop star was worried the press would have a field day with the “scandalous” shots if they made it to the mainstream.
The Grammy-winning songstress was sued by Mueller in 2015 after he was fired from his job following Swift’s accusations that he groped her backstage. The former DJ has denied any inappropriate contact and claims that one of his superiors at the station committed the alleged assault.
Radio station KYGO-FM was presented with evidence after the reported incident and then fired Mueller two days later, according to Swift’s legal team.
Swift ultimately countersued, declaring that the incident absolutely happened, according to TMZ.
“I remember being frantic, distressed, feeling violated in a way I had never experienced before,” Swift said in the deposition. “A meet-and-greet is supposed to be a situation where you’re thanking people for coming, you’re supposed to be welcoming people into your home, which is the arena for that day, and for someone to violate that hospitality in that way, I was completely stunned.”
Swift said that any funds she may receive from the suit would be donated to charities “dedicated to protecting women from similar acts of sexual assault and personal disregard.”
