Fat Joe denies sex with underage girls following $20 million lawsuit
A lawsuit has been filed against rapper Fat Joe (real name Joseph Cartagena) with allegations of “coercive labour exploitation, financial fraud, sexual manipulation, violent intimidation, and psychological coercion.” However, Cartagena has immediately denied the claims.
The rapper was sued by Terrance ‘TA’ Dixon, his former hype man for 16 years, in the US District Court Southern District of New York this week, seeking up to $20 million in damages.
Dixon claims Cartagena forced him “into humiliating situations, including sex acts performed under duress and surveillance, accompanied by threats of abandonment in foreign countries if [he] refused compliance,” coercing him into “more than 4,000 sexual acts to maintain his standing within the Enterprise.”
He alleges he faced “a wide spectrum of sexual coercion, psychological control, forced exhibitionism, and surveillance-based humiliation, including being compelled to perform sex acts under observation, being filmed, or directed by [Fat Joe] in the presence of others — tactics designed to control Plaintiff’s body, erode his autonomy, and ensure silence.”
The suit continues, “These sex-based abuses were not private, incidental, or isolated. They were integral to the enterprise’s culture of dominance and humiliation, enforced by Defendant’s associates such as Pistol Pete, JB, and others, and sustained across numerous tour locations including Miami, North Carolina, Germany, Spain, and Wisconsin.”
Dixon claims he “personally witnessed [Fat Joe] engage in sexual relations with children who were 15 and 16 years old.” He alleged women would perform sexual acts on Joe in exchange for cash or clothing.
In a statement to Variety, the rapper’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, who recently defended A$AP Rocky, denied his client having sex with underage girls.
“The lawsuit filed by Tyrone Blackburn and Terrance Dixon is a blatant act of retaliation,” he said. “The allegations against Mr Cartagena are complete fabrications — lies intended to damage his reputation and force a settlement through public pressure. Mr Cartagena will not be intimidated. We have taken legal action to expose this fraudulent campaign and hold everyone involved accountable.”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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