A jury has found Soulja Boy liable for sexual battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment, and non-payment of wages in a lawsuit brought by his former assistant.
“Jane Doe” was awarded $4 million in compensatory damages. The trial will now move to a second phase, which will determine punitive damages and could add many millions more to the award.
In January 2021, the woman filed a civil lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming she was hired as Soulja Boy’s assistant in December 2018. She alleged that she was promised $500 a week for cleaning, cooking, and managing his schedule, but was never paid. According to the lawsuit, shortly after starting work, the two entered a romantic relationship, which she described as turning abusive. She accused Soulja Boy of physical and sexual violence, including multiple instances of rape, beatings, and threats. Specific claims included him locking her in a room for days without food or hot water, punching her to the point of unconsciousness, and sending threatening text messages, such as “I hope u die slow.” She also alleged labor violations, like failure to pay wages and creating a hostile work environment.
The jury didn’t find SB liable for the charges of creating a hostile work environment and false imprisonment.