Santa Monica, California – A jury has ordered rapper Soulja Boy to pay $4 million to a woman who accused him of sexual assault during their nearly two-year relationship. The 34-year-old rapper, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was found liable for claims including sexual battery, assault, and imprisonment in a lawsuit brought by a woman who worked as his assistant. A representative for Way had dismissed the case as “nonsense.”
The 36-year-old woman, who filed the complaint anonymously, testified that Way regularly raped and beat her, sometimes keeping her as a prisoner. She recounted that when she first started working for Way, she weighed around 150 pounds, but had dropped to only 86 pounds when she managed to escape. She described feeling dehumanized and like an animal due to the abuse she endured.
Despite the mistreatment, the woman testified that she and Way had fallen in love at one point, with both expressing affection in text messages presented in court. However, there were moments of apologies from Way, along with messages where the woman expressed distress over his behavior.
Following a three-week trial, Way was found liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment, and nonpayment of wages. However, he was cleared of false imprisonment and constructive discharge claims. The woman’s attorney, Ron Zambrano, expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision and looked ahead to the punitive damages phase of the case.
Way’s attorney, Rickey Ivie, claimed that the woman fabricated the story out of greed, asserting that her motive was solely financial gain. Ivie argued that the case was not about the truth, but rather about the woman’s desire for monetary compensation.
The verdict in this case sheds light on the serious allegations of sexual assault and abuse, highlighting the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. The outcome serves as a reminder of the ongoing issue of violence against women and the significance of seeking justice for victims of such crimes.