50 Cent’s Bankruptcy Claim Is ‘Almost Laughable,’ Lawyer for Sex Tape Accuser Says

“Get Rich or Die Tryin'” rapper filed for Chapter 11 after being hit with $5 million verdict in civil case

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 23: Rapper Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson III speaks onstage during 20th Century Fox Invites You to a Special Presentation Highlighting Its Future Release Schedule at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on April 23, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for CinemaCon)
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Rapper 50 Cent’s claim in court that his flashy lifestyle is just an illusion is a joke, an attorney for Lastonia Leviston told TheWrap on Tuesday.

“It’s almost laughable for Mr. Jackson to think anyone believes he’s broke and that everything is smoke and mirrors,” Leviston’s attorney, Hunter Shkolnik said, referring to the rapper by his given name, Curtis Jackson. “His business entities show otherwise.”

Jackson made the claim in Manhattan Supreme Court earlier in the day, claiming that, after posing for pictures with flashy vehicles and accessories, “I take the jewelry and the cars back to the stores.”

The hip-hop mogul also downplayed his income from record sales, claiming, “I make 10 cents a record,” and said that he’s only made in the area of $150,000 from each of the first two seasons of the Starz drama series “Power,” which he executive produces.

Jackson was sued by Leviston, who claimed he put her private sex tape on the Internet and doctored it.  In the 2009 clip, Jackson serves as a commentator named Pimpin’ Curly narrating a video made by Leviston and her then-boyfriend. Wearing a wig, he makes crude comments about Leviston and his rap rival Rick Ross, with whom she has a daughter.

Last week, a jury handed down a $5 million verdict against Jackson in the case, after which he declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Leviston was subsequently granted a motion for relief from the automatic stay that the case would have been placed under as part of the Bankruptcy Code. A jury can now go forward to determine whether punitive damages can be assessed against the hip-hop mogul.

During Tuesday’s court appearance, Jackson’s lawyer placed the rapper’s worth at $4.4 million. That’s a far cry from an estimate published by Forbes in May, which ball-parked 50 Cent’s net worth at $155 million.

Another court hearing will take place on Wednesday to determine whether an expert will be allowed to testify on the rapper’s behalf. The court will resume the case on Thursday.

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