50 Cent says he was done wrong by his ex-lawyers in the Lastonia Leviston sex-tape case — and now he’s suing for $32 million to make it right.
The “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” rapper — real name: Curtis Jackson III — filed his claim in U.S. bankruptcy court in Connecticut on Friday, alleging numerous misdeeds by law firm Reed Smith and attorney Peter Raymond, which put him at a disadvantage in Leviston’s lawsuit against him.
In 2015, Jackson was hit with a total of $7 million in damages for posting a sex tape of Leviston and her partner online, overdubbing the tape with his own commentary. Shortly thereafter, the rapper filed for bankruptcy.
Jackson’s claim contends that he wouldn’t have had to file for bankruptcy if not for the “neglectful, negligent and unethical conduct of Raymond and Reed Smith” in the Leviston lawsuit.
“Reed Smith and Raymond did not follow established legal standards in representing Jackson in the Leviston Case by failing to provide effective representation and conduct proper pre-trial and trial preparation prior to the Leviston trial,” the complaint reads. “In addition, their lack of effective representation and inadequate pre-trial preparation and preparation for trial caused Jackson to retain new counsel on the eve of trial.”
Jackson also alleges that Reed Smith “had an unwaivable conflict of interest regarding key material witnesses” that it failed to disclose, and failed to cooperate with his new counsel despite its promise to do so, which “which caused Jackson to be subject to an unfavorable jury verdict.”
“Unfortunately, this is not the first time Mr. Jackson has been required to commence litigation in connection with the past administration of his legal matters,” Arthur L. Aidala, Esq., of Baratta, Baratta & Aidala, LLP, Jackson’s legal representative, told TheWrap in a statement. “While it would have been preferable to resolve this dispute privately and amicably, he felt it necessary to pursue this matter further. Mr. Jackson is fully confident that all claims will be resolved in his favor in the near future. ”
Alleging breach of fiduciary duty and malpractice, Jackson is seeking $7 million in actual damages and $25 million in punitive damages.
TheWrap has reached out to Reed Smith for comment.
Panela Chelin contributed to this report.
Chris Brown Arrest: 7 Stars Who Support the Embattled Singer (Photos)
Chris Brown experienced his latest run-in with the law on Tuesday, when he was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon following an hours-long standoff with the police, after allegedly pulling a gun on a woman at his Tarzana, California, home. But the "I Can Transform Ya" singer has plenty of supporters as he weathers his latest legal plight -- and some of them are famous. Read on for a list of celebrities who've offered their support for Chris Brown.
Rapper 50 Cent took to his Instagram account to speak up for Brown. Pointing out that Btown's accuser, Baylee Curran, had reportedly been accused of theft for allegedly stealing a purse in 2013, the rapper wrote, "This Bitch was trying to steal something got kicked out then called the cops see. Smh you can't make this shit up. Lol."
Ray J, who was reportedly at Brown's home at the time of the alleged incident, also hit up Instragram, posting a video in which he declared, "I'm real upset about today. I'm not happy with how things are being handled and about how people can take a false story and blow it up into something way more than it should be."
Singer/actress Keke Palmeralso posted a video, saying, "I really wish that people would stop messing with Chris Brown ... I ain't saying he's perfect, I don't know him like that. But, I mean, I wish we would pray for motherf--kers instead of hating them."
Hulk Hogan took to Twitter and offered, "Praying for Chris Brown only love" -- though he also later tweeted, "Chris needs to start loving God and get correct," so it seems like he might still be wrestling with the issue.
Rapper Lil Mama likewise put her support behind Brown, writing, "I love @chrisbrownofficial and I AM TIRED OF SEEING HIM HURT. But for right now I'm just praying for his safety."
Singer Bruno Mars tweeted his support on Tuesday night, writing, "Prayin for ya @chrisbrown we need ya."
"Love L.A." Rapper Young Scrap blasted Brown's haters while defending the singer, writing, "Prayers are up for Chris Brown...it's crazy how some of you can't wait for him to fall."
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From 50 Cent to Hulk Hogan, the musician/assault suspect has plenty of people rooting for him
Chris Brown experienced his latest run-in with the law on Tuesday, when he was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon following an hours-long standoff with the police, after allegedly pulling a gun on a woman at his Tarzana, California, home. But the "I Can Transform Ya" singer has plenty of supporters as he weathers his latest legal plight -- and some of them are famous. Read on for a list of celebrities who've offered their support for Chris Brown.