Las Vegas Sun

June 16, 2024

Judge allows sex-tape case against 50 Cent to proceed

50 Cent

Eric Jamison / Invision / AP

50 Cent arrives at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, May 17, 2015, at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

HARTFORD, Conn. — A federal judge in Connecticut has ruled that a lawsuit over a sex tape can proceed against rapper 50 Cent, despite his bankruptcy filing.

A New York jury awarded Lastonia Leviston $5 million last week after determining the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson III, didn't have her permission when he posted online a sexually explicit video she made with her boyfriend.

The jury was to consider punitive damages Monday, but Jackson filed for bankruptcy that day in Connecticut, temporarily stalling Leviston's lawsuit. Her lawyer alleged Jackson filed for bankruptcy to evade testifying in the New York case.

A lawyer for Jackson didn't immediately return a message seeking comment on the judge's ruling Friday.

Leviston's attorney, Philip Freidin, tells The Hartford Courant he's pleased the New York case will be resuming Monday.

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