Soulja Boy FOUND GUILTY – $4M!
Rapper Soulja Boy has been ordered to pay over $4 million in damages after a jury found him liable for sexually assaulting and abusing his former assistant during her employment that began in 2018.
At a Glance
- A California jury found rapper Soulja Boy liable for sexual assault and physical and emotional abuse of his former assistant
- The victim was awarded approximately $4 million in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages
- The alleged abuse began when she started working for him in 2018 and continued even after she left his employment
- Soulja Boy’s legal team plans to appeal the verdict, claiming the evidence doesn’t support the jury’s decision
Verdict After Three-Week Trial
Following a three-week trial in Santa Monica, California, a jury has found rapper Soulja Boy, whose legal name is DeAndre Cortez Way, liable for sexually assaulting, physically harming, and emotionally abusing a former assistant. The jury awarded the unnamed victim over $4 million in damages. Specifically, the woman received approximately $4 million in compensatory damages and an additional $250,000 in punitive damages.
The jury determined that Soulja Boy was liable for assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, they did not find him liable for false imprisonment and certain other allegations that were part of the lawsuit, which was originally filed in January 2021. The victim’s identity has been protected throughout the proceedings, as is standard practice in sexual abuse cases.
Details of the Allegations
According to court documents, the woman began working as Soulja Boy’s personal assistant in 2018 with an agreement to be paid $500 weekly, though she claims she was never compensated for her work. The lawsuit alleges that after they began a romantic relationship, the rapper started abusing her. The abuse allegedly included rape, physical violence, and emotional trauma that continued for approximately two years.
“Today’s verdict is just the beginning of justice for Soulja Boy’s victims, and other victims in the music industry”, plaintiff’s attorney Neama Rahmani said in a statement.
The victim claimed that despite the abuse, she was manipulated into staying with him until 2020. More disturbingly, the lawsuit alleges that even after she left his employment, she was beaten and raped again when she returned to retrieve her personal belongings. There were also allegations that Soulja Boy locked her in a room for three days when she attempted to quit her job.
Legal Responses from Both Sides
Neama Rahmani, the plaintiff’s attorney, has framed the verdict as an important step toward accountability in the entertainment industry. The legal team representing the victim sees the decision as vindication for their client and potentially encouraging for others who have faced similar situations in the music industry.
“We’re happy our client was vindicated, and the jury believed her claims of physical and sexual assault.”, said Ron Zambrano, an attorney for the Jane Doe plaintiff.
Meanwhile, Soulja Boy’s defense attorney, Rickey Ivie, has strongly contested the verdict. Ivie stated that the evidence presented during the trial does not support the jury’s decision and suggested that cultural perceptions may have influenced the outcome. The rapper’s legal team has announced their intention to pursue post-trial remedies and continue fighting what they consider an unjust result.
Pattern of Allegations
This is not the first time Soulja Boy has faced such serious allegations. In May 2021, another lawsuit was filed against him by a different woman who alleged “constant abuse” and claimed she suffered a miscarriage due to his violence. Additionally, court records show he was previously ordered to pay damages to a former girlfriend, Kayla Myers, for assault and kidnapping.
Soulja Boy rose to fame with his 2007 hit single “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him a Grammy nomination. Despite his musical success, these legal troubles and the substantial financial penalties they’ve incurred have cast a shadow over his career and public image.
