Soulja Boy Ordered to Pay $4 Million to Jane Doe in Sexual Assault Case
According to Courthouse News, a jury decided that the rapper, whose real name is DeAndre Way, was liable in his civil case for claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment and non-payment of wages. He was cleared on claims of false imprisonment and constructive discharge. Way 'smiled calmly' as the verdict was read.
More from Variety
A 'Taste' of Tyga: 'Being in the Game Over 10 Years and Still Dropping Hits Is Everything'
Queen Radio Recap: Nicki Minaj Drops New Music, Talks Tyga With Soulja Boy
Soulja Boy Praises 'Saturday Night Live' Parody
Legal representatives for Doe and Way did not immediately respond to Variety's request for comment.
Doe sued Way in Jan. 2021, accusing him of raping and kidnapping her while working as his personal assistant starting in 2018. She claimed that within the first month of employment, Way sent her photos of his penis and they initiated a romantic relationship that turned violent and toxic. During the trial, she testified that he locked her in a room without food for as long as two days.
Way denied abusing Doe, stating that he never formally hired her and offered her a place to stay in exchange for rolling blunts. He described their relationship as consensual yet at times contentious. Throughout the trial, photographs of Doe's bruises and text messages between the two were key pieces of evidence, with Way explaining that threatening texts like 'Die bitch. Shoulda killed your stupid ass' were not meant to be violent. His lawyers also argued that the photographs of bruises didn't establish that Way had inflicted them on her, and that she was suing for a payday.
During closing arguments on Monday, Doe's attorneys asked the jury to award her $73.6 million. 'If you don't believe my client, don't give her a dollar,' said her lawyer, Ron Zambrano. 'But if you do believe her, give her everything.
'He raped her,' he added. 'He punched her. He kicked her. He cut her. He pointed a Draco gun at her. He locked her in her room… He told her, 'I hope you die slow.''
Way's attorney Rickey Ivie painted Doe as an extortionist driven by greed. 'She wanted to be paid,' he said. 'Which is what this case is all about. Because it's not about the truth.'
Way was previously sued for assault and kidnapping in 2021 and, two years later, was ordered to pay $471,800 to an ex-girlfriend. She claimed that he had kidnapped her and held a gun to her head at his home after a party in Feb. 2019. Another woman also accused Way of assaulting her in 2021, alleging that he put a gun to her head and kicked her in the stomach while she was pregnant. She said she suffered a miscarriage after the incident.
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025
The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jeremy Renner Plans to Return to Marvel: ‘My Body's Getting Ready'
Jeremy Renner is ready to step back into Hawkeye's suit. In a new interview with Empire, the actor said that he is 'sure' he will return as the Marvel superhero, either in a second season of Disney+ series Hawkeye or in a future MCU movie. 'I'm always happy to be in that world, man,' Renner said. 'I love all those guys, I love the character. I'm sure we'll end up doing Season 2 [of Hawkeye], and do other things. And I'm happy to do it. My body's getting ready for something like that. I don't know if anybody wants to see me in tights, but my body will look good in the tights.' More from Rolling Stone 'Thunderbolts*' Director on 'Collaborative' MCU and What He Hopes Stands Out on Rewatch Julia Garner Says Madonna Biopic Is 'Supposed to Still Happen' Yes, 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Brings Marvel's OGs Into the MCU Following Renner's near-fatal snowmobile accident in 2023, the actor has been working hard to get himself back in action. 'I'm more than 150 per cent of what I was prior to the incident,' he told Empire. 'Having health and wellness be such a central part of my life, that's what's gotten me back. And even as I age, I just feel stronger than I've been. I have some issues, and tendon issues and certain limitations of flexibility and mobility, but I spent a lot of time on getting better and stronger, and I wouldn't if I didn't get crushed.' Earlier this year, Renner confirmed he previously passed on a second season of Hawkeye because he was offered 'half' of his pay from the first season. 'They asked me to do Season 2, and they offered me half the money,' the actor said. 'I'm like, 'Well, it's going to take me twice the amount of work for half the amount of money, and eight months of my time, essentially, to do it for half the amount.' He alluded that the reason behind the lower offer was due to his accident, which crushed more than 30 bones in his body. 'I'm like, 'I'm sorry? Why? Did you think I'm only half the Jeremy because I got ran over? Maybe that's why you want to pay me half of what I made on the first season,'' he said. The first season of Hawkeye debuted on Disney+ in 2021 and starred Renner alongside Hailee Steinfeld and Florence Pugh. Renner also appeared as the character in several Marvel films, including The Avengers. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gary Busey Pleads Guilty to Groping Woman's Behind
Gary Busey admitted he purposely groped a woman's buttocks while posing with fans at a New Jersey horror convention in 2022, pleading guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual contact on Thursday. The 81-year-old actor entered the plea during a virtual hearing, admitting he touched the woman for his own gratification. 'You understand now, and you knew then that that was not appropriate. It was wrong, correct,' a prosecutor asked Busey. 'Yes, very much,' he responded. More from Rolling Stone Sean Combs' Allies Have Upped Pardon Talks. His Survivors Want to Shut Them Down Sean Combs Asks Judge to Ditch His Conviction or Retry Prostitution Counts Alec Baldwin's Lawsuit Against New Mexico Prosecutors Dismissed The incident occurred at the semi-annual Monster-Mania Con in Camden, New Jersey in August 2022. While posing with fans Busey was accused of groping several women, who filed reports with local police. The actor was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree; one count of attempting criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree, and one disorderly conduct count of harassment. Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will drop the remaining charges, according to CourtTV. Busey faces between one to five years of probation and fines, and has agreed not to contact the woman. His sentencing is set for Sept. 18. Throughout the hearing, a disheveled Busey seemed distracted, seemingly having problems with his hearing aid. At one point, he took a swing from a soda can, which earned him a sharp rebuke from the judge. Busey's guilty plea comes after he originally claimed the women had made the entire thing up. 'None of that happened,' he told TMZ in 2022. 'There were a partner, and a camera lady, and me and two girls. It took less than 10 seconds, and then they left. Then, they made up this story that I assaulted them sexually — but I did not.' Despite his admission to the unwanted touching, Busey's attorney still seemed to object to referring to the women as victims. 'I disagree with, most respectfully, for identifying the individuals and counts two through five as victims,' the attorney said. 'Since those cases are being dismissed — it's just a technical matter — I don't think they remain victims if they're being dismissed.' Rolling Stone has reached out to Busey's attorney for further comment. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century Solve the daily Crossword
Elle
5 hours ago
- Elle
Here's Why ‘And Just Like That...' Will End With Season 3
And Just Like That... it's time to turn another page in Carrie Bradshaw's diary. The divisive and nostalgia-ridden Sex and the City spinoff series will conclude with season 3, which is currently airing on HBO Max. Episode 12 will land on Aug. 14 and serve as the series finale. Here's everything we know so far about HBO Max's decision. No. On August 1, Variety reported that And Just Like That... will officially end with its third season. Showrunner, writer, and director Michael Patrick King announced the news in a statement, explaining that the series conclusion was a creative choice. 'And just like that… the ongoing storytelling of the Sex And The City universe is coming to an end,' he wrote. 'While I was writing the last episode of And Just Like That… season 3, it became clear to me that this might be a wonderful place to stop.' He went on to say that he made the decision alongside star Sarah Jessica Parker, HBO CEO Casey Bloys, and Sarah Aubrey, head of originals at HBO Max. The series will end with a two-part finale, extending season 3 from 10 episodes to 12. King added, 'SJP and I held off announcing the news until now because we didn't want the word 'final' to overshadow the fun of watching the season. It's with great gratitude we thank all the viewers who have let these characters into their homes and their hearts over these many years.' Parker posted a moving tribute to Carrie on her Instagram. 'Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte, there will never be better friends and what great fortune for Carrie to come to know and love Seema and LTW, most divine new connections,' she wrote. She continued, 'Carrie Bradshaw has dominated my professional heartbeat for 27 years. I think I have loved her most of all... MPK and I together recognized, as we have in the past, this chapter complete. AJLT was all joy, adventure, the greatest kind of hard work alongside the most extraordinary talent of 380 that includes all the brilliant actors who joined us. I am better for every single day I spent with you. It will be forever before I forget. The whole thing. Thank you all. I love you so. I hope you love these final two episodes as much as we all do.' Kristin Davis, who plays Charlotte, reposted King's statement and added, 'I am profoundly sad. I love our whole beautiful cast and crew. 400 artisans working so hard on our show with deep love. And to our loyal fans, we love you forever and ever.' Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda, also reposted King's statement, but did not add anything further. This story will be updated.
