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Jury Finds Rapper Soulja Boy Liable in Sexual Assault Case, Awards $4 Million in Damages
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – A jury in Los Angeles has determined that rapper Soulja Boy is responsible for sexually assaulting and inflicting physical and emotional harm upon a former assistant. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, mandates that the musician compensate the woman with over $4 million in damages. This ruling follows a three-week trial held in Santa Monica, California, focusing on allegations of sexual assault and abuse against the artist, legally known as DeAndre Cortez Way, or Soulja Boy.
Verdict Details
Following deliberations, Los Angeles County jurors found the 34-year-old performer liable for multiple charges including assault, sexual battery, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, jurors did not find him responsible for false imprisonment and other accusations presented during the proceedings. The awarded sum includes approximately $4 million in compensatory damages intended to cover the plaintiff’s losses and suffering, along with an additional $250,000 in punitive damages, meant to punish the defendant for egregious conduct.
Legal Statements Following the Ruling
Plaintiff’s Attorney’s Statement
“Today’s verdict signifies merely the commencement of justice for Soulja Boy’s victims, and other victims within the music industry,” stated Neama Rahmani, the attorney representing the plaintiff, in an official statement released after the court decision.
Defense Attorney’s Response
Rickey Ivie, the lead defense attorney for Soulja Boy, issued a counter-statement asserting, “We maintain that the evidence presented does not substantiate the verdict. It is regrettable that biases and misinterpretations of a culture were permitted to sway the trial. Mr. Way fully intends to pursue all available post-trial remedies and to vigorously contest this outcome to achieve a just resolution in this matter.”
Background of the Lawsuit
The plaintiff, who remained unnamed in the legal action initiated in 2021, alleged a pattern of abuse. According to the lawsuit, she began working for Soulja Boy in 2018, under an agreement to receive $500 per week for domestic duties encompassing house cleaning, meal preparation, and various personal errands. She claims she was never compensated for this work.
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The legal documents detailed that a romantic relationship developed between the two individuals. Soon after, the plaintiff alleges that the rapper initiated a cycle of abuse, including rape, physical violence such as kicking and punching, and threats of violence and death.
Despite enduring repeated acts of violence, the plaintiff stated in her lawsuit that she believed she was in love with Soulja Boy. She further claimed that he manipulated her into remaining in the relationship until 2020.
The lawsuit also detailed an additional incident of violence and rape when she returned to his residence to retrieve her belongings several months after leaving.
Soulja Boy’s Career Context
Soulja Boy, a hip-hop artist originating from Chicago, gained widespread recognition for his 2007 hit single “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” The track reached the top position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and garnered him a Grammy nomination for best rap song, establishing his prominence in the music industry.