Fantasm wins defamation lawsuit in Lyon court

The ruling of the Lyon Judicial Court

On May 19, 2026, the Lyon Judicial Court issued a final judgment in favor of Kenzo Meservey, known in the electronic scene as Fantasm, closing a defamation legal process that has lasted for four years. The court found the defendant guilty of public defamation, after concluding that there was no factual basis to support the serious accusations of sexual assault made against the French-American producer. During the litigation, the defense attempted to rely on the argument of good faith, a position that was categorically dismissed by the magistrate upon noting the total absence of objective evidence.

Compensation and official statement

The resolution dictates a series of severe financial penalties for the convicted party. The court has imposed a suspended fine of 5,000 euros, in addition to direct compensation for the artist: 10,000 euros for professional damages, 1,000 euros for moral damages, and another 1,000 euros intended to cover the legal costs of the process. Valentine Pariat, the DJ's legal representative, issued a statement confirming that her client has never been the subject of police investigations, formal complaints, or prior convictions related to these unfounded accusations.

Through his official profiles, Fantasm issued a statement detailing the psychological and professional toll suffered since he began the legal process alone at 19 years of age. The artist described the situation experienced as a period of digital terrorism, characterized by direct threats, cancellation of performances, and a severe impact on his family environment. With the verdict final, the producer has announced his intention to resume his musical career and focus exclusively on the studio, sound synthesis, and the international clubbing circuit.

Legal impact on the European electronic scene

The ruling of the French court materializes in a context of extreme sensitivity for the international hard techno ecosystem. Throughout the last few months, the industry has been shaken by the media campaign called Techno Files, a movement on social networks that has put various management agencies and high-profile figures such as Shlømo, Basswell, and CARV in the spotlight.

Although the sentence handed down in Lyon corresponds solely and exclusively to Meservey's particular case and does not invalidate other ongoing investigations within the scene, the ruling establishes a strong legal precedent. The resolution underscores the criminal responsibility that comes with spreading accusations without evidentiary support on digital platforms, marking a turning point in how the electronic music industry and the judicial system address defamation and cancel culture when it lacks legal foundations.

Sources Consulted