Producer Dr. Luke Says Kesha Supporters Lack ‘Knowledge or Facts’ in Twitter Spree

Music producer Dr. Luke is responding to the allegations of sexual and verbal abuse made against him by the singer Kesha in a 2014 lawsuit.

In a tweet spree on Monday, the producer (real name: Lukasz Gottwald) said supporters of Kesha—including Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Fiona Apple, who all backed the singer on social media in recent days—lacked “knowledge or facts” about the situation.

“I understand why people without all the information are speaking out. I can appreciate their compassion,” Gottwald tweeted, before adding later: “I didn’t rape Kesha and I have never had sex with her. Kesha and I were friends for many years and she was like my little sister.”

Earlier on Monday, a lawyer for Gottwald released a statement claiming Kesha’s legal team has “subjected Dr. Luke and his family to trial by Twitter” and used “a vicious smear campaign to ruin his reputation for financial gain while failing to support their claims.”

The outpouring of support for Kesha came after a judge ruled Friday that Kesha could not be let out of her contract with Dr. Luke and Sony Music Entertainment while her lawsuit is ongoing.

The producer worked with Kesha on a string of Top 10 hits including “Tik Tok,” “We R Who We R” and “Die Young.”

Write to Nolan Feeney at nolan.feeney@time.com.