Details from Thursday’s hearing revealed a possible reason for why Nikolas voluntarily dismissed her initial lawsuit against Milosh in May 2022. Milosh’s attorneys noted that Nikolas and Milosh both signed a “stipulated judgment” with a “general release of all claims either [Milosh] or Ms. Nikolas may have against each other.” The agreement in question was signed on May 17, 2019; according to records, that was also the day their divorce was finalized.
One of the defendants, Karen Barth Menzies, noted that she was not aware of the stipulated judgment’s terms until after Nikolas’ lawsuit was filed. “Menzies asserts that after learning of the release language in the stipulation and judgment in the divorce proceeding, she communicated to plaintiff’s counsel that she had no intention of further prosecuting the case unless and until the judgment was set aside in family court,” the hearing’s minutes read.
The minutes also note: “Barth Menzies asserts that she believed Nikolas’ claims had merit. Barth Menzies relied on Nikolas’ ‘open letter’ on Instagram, before and during the pendency of the underlying action. She believed Nikolas’ allegations to be true and never received any information to show that the allegations were untrue, taken out of context, or fabricated.”
When reached for comment, Karen Barth Menzies said, “This legal ordeal has been difficult, but I consider this anti-SLAPP ruling a badge of honor earned in the defense of the survivors of sexual assault.”
Alexa Nikolas has previously told Rolling Stone that she plans to re-file her lawsuit.