Kodak Black’s attorney Bradford Cohen has followed through on his threat to sue the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The incarcerated rapper and his legal team have filed a lawsuit alleging torture and religious freedom violations since he was transferred to the United States Penitentiary known as Big Sandy in Kentucky in October 2019.
The suit brings up previous allegations of prison guards beating up Kodak. According to documents obtained by TMZ, the guards at Big Sandy attacked him in retaliation for an incident from the Atlantic Records artist’s stint at Miami’s Federal Detention Center.
Prior to his transfer, Kodak was involved in a fight with another inmate in Miami that resulted in the injury of a prison guard.
Kodak also accuses Big Sandy guards of putting him in a backless paper gown on a four-point restraint for six hours without the ability to use the bathroom. The suit says he was “forced to urinate and defecate on himself” while guards cracked jokes about the situation.
Kodak’s legal team claims his medical records display the mistreatment, citing lacerations, vomiting and bleeding from the mouth.
The alleged torture included Kodak being put on his knees “execution-style” while soaking wet in nothing but his underwear. His representation says this resulted in physical injuries, embarrassment, humiliation and emotional distress.
In addition to the physical harm, Kodak claims he’s not be allowed to meet with a rabbi despite other inmates having access to clergy members. The suit alleges a violation of his First Amendments rights because he’s a practicing Hebrew Israelite.
Kodak’s lawyer Bradford Cohen detailed his team’s reasons for filing the lawsuit via Instagram on Tuesday (September 22).
“We filed this lawsuit because there might be nothing worse than ignoring prison abuse,” he wrote. “#prisonreform isnt something people even talk about. I haven’t even heard @joebiden eveb mention what he plans to do for prison reform or judicial reform. Meanwhile @realdonaldtrump passed the first step act and second chance. The issue is the actual application of those acts by the Bureau of Prisons.”
He continued, “This isn’t just about @kodakblack we have gotten letters from across the country with similar stories. When there is no 3rd party supervision they can do anything and not suffer consequences. When is the last time in a prison a video tape was inconclusive? They discount witness testimony from fellow inmates as ‘unreliable’ no matter what the situation…they will just automatically take the word of the guard. Its time to start holding these agencies accountable.”
Kodak’s suit aims to secure his transfer to a lower-security prison. He’s also seeking compensatory and punitive damages plus attorney fees.
View his lawyer’s full Instagram post below.
View this post on InstagramWe filed this lawsuit because there might be nothing worse than ignoring prison abuse. #prisonreform isnt something people even talk about. I haven't even heard @joebiden eveb mention what he plans to do for prison reform or judicial reform. Meanwhile @realdonaldtrump passed the first step act and second chance. The issue is the actual application of those acts by the Bureau of Prisons. This isn't just about @kodakblack we have gotten letters from across the country with similar stories. When there is no 3rd party supervision they can do anything and not suffer consequences. When is the last time in a prison a video tape was inconclusive? They discount witness testimony from fellow inmates as "unreliable " no matter what the situation…they will just automatically take the word of the guard. Its time to start holding these agencies accountable. Just like the picture of Bill that was sent to the press almost immediately….when is the last time you saw some federal white collar criminal get a picture taken in custody and disseminated to the press? Much respect for my co counsels @schwartzinmiami Jonathan Schwartz and Rob Buschel @skywriter.esq in Fort Lauderdale for wanting to effectuate change. #kodakblack #kodak