Soulja Boy is found liable for abuse and sexual assault of his ex-assistant

A jury on Thursday found that rapper Soulja Boy was liable for sexually assaulting and physically and emotionally abusing a former assistant, awarding the woman more than $4 million in damages.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A jury on Thursday found that rapper Soulja Boy was liable for sexually assaulting and physically and emotionally abusing a former assistant, awarding the woman more than $4 million in damages.

The decision from the Los Angeles County jurors came after a three-week trial in Santa Monica, California.

The 34-year-old Soulja Boy, whose legal name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was found liable for assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Jurors did not find him liable for false imprisonment and other allegations. They found the woman should get about $4 million in compensatory damages and another $250,000 in punitive damages.

“Today’s verdict is just the beginning of justice for Soulja Boy’s victims, and other victims in the music industry,” plaintiff’s attorney Neama Rahmani said in a statement.

Lead defense attorney Rickey Ivie said in his own statement: “We maintain that the evidence does not support the verdict. 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.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/soulja-boy-abuse-sexual-assault-ex-assistant-rcna200782

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