Soulja Boy ordered to pay $4 million in sexual assault case
Rapper Soulja Boy has been told to pay a woman $4 million in compensatory damages after being found liable for claims he assaulted, sexually battered and harassed her in 2019 and 2020. A jury announced the verdict on April 10th, deciding the rapper (real name DeAndre Way) acted with malice, oppression or fraud. He was also made to pay another $250,000 in punitive damages.
The ‘Crank That’ artist allegedly sexually assaulted the anonymous woman while she worked as his assistant. She also lived with him and had a consensual, intimate relationship with him at times.
Jane Doe said after the jurors were excused, “I feel like I got justice. Obviously, it’s not going to return everything I lost. I lost way more than I gained. My hope is he doesn’t do this to any more women. I don’t even recognise that person anymore — the person he turned me into. It was the worst version of myself. It was like I was in survival mode.”
Her lawyer, Ronald Zambrano, praised the verdict, saying, “We’re happy our client was vindicated.” His co-counsel, Neama Rahmani, added, “[The sexual assault claims] were the ones that certainly caused the most damage. She feels vindicated because he called her a liar. He said she was never an employee – nothing more than a disgruntled, jealous, lying ex. And the jury rejected that argument.”
However, Way’s attorney, Rickey Ivie, was disappointed with the decision. “We maintain that the evidence does not support the verdict,” he told Variety. “It is unfortunate that aspersions and misperceptions of a culture were allowed to influence the trial. Mr Way fully intends to pursue his post-trial remedies and to fight for a just result in this case.”
Way denied wrongdoing while speaking to Rolling Stone and assured the matter wasn’t over. “The district attorney never filed charges. I was never charged or convicted of this, criminally. So, to be accused of this civilly is beyond me,” he said. “I’ve never done any of the things they’re accusing me of. I just feel like this is very unfair.”
He continued, “I want to make it clear that I’m innocent. This case was never about justice. It was about money and personal gain, and I will not let that stand. I am committed to filing an appeal and fighting for the truth to be revealed.”
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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