Jury finds rapper Soulja Boy liable for sexual assault and abuse of his former assistant, ordering him to pay over $4 million in damages in a case that could impact the music industry.
At a Glance
- A California jury found Soulja Boy (DeAndre Cortez Way) liable for sexually assaulting and abusing his former assistant
- The victim was awarded approximately $4 million in compensatory damages and an additional $250,000 in punitive damages
- Soulja Boy was found liable for assault, sexual battery, and emotional distress but not for false imprisonment
- The victim claimed she was promised $500 weekly but was never paid and suffered abuse after beginning a romantic relationship
- The rapper’s legal team plans to appeal, claiming the evidence does not support the verdict
Details of the Case and Allegations
After a three-week trial in Santa Monica, California, a jury delivered a guilty verdict against rapper Soulja Boy in a landmark sexual assault case. The plaintiff, an unnamed former assistant who began working for the rapper in 2018, brought forward disturbing allegations of systematic abuse. According to court documents, she was promised a salary of $500 per week but claims she never received payment for her work. The lawsuit, filed in January 2021, included serious allegations of unsolicited nude pictures, physical violence, sexual assaults, and threats.
The woman testified that after beginning a romantic relationship with the rapper, he subjected her to escalating abuse. She claimed she was manipulated into staying with him until 2020 despite ongoing mistreatment. In one of the most disturbing allegations, she stated that Soulja Boy locked her in a room for three days when she attempted to quit. The lawsuit also alleged that when she finally left and later returned to collect her belongings, she was beaten and raped again.
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 $4 million in damages. https://t.co/hLr1LwG851
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) April 11, 2025
The Verdict and Financial Penalties
The jury found Soulja Boy, legally known as DeAndre Cortez Way, liable for assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, they did not find him liable for false imprisonment and certain other allegations. The financial penalty imposed was substantial, with the former assistant being awarded approximately $4 million in compensatory damages for the suffering she endured, plus an additional $250,000 in punitive damages designed to discourage similar behavior in the future.
“Today’s verdict is just the beginning of justice for Soulja Boy’s victims, and other victims in the music industry,” said Neama Rahmani, the plaintiff’s attorney.
The substantial award sends a strong message about accountability for abuse within the entertainment industry. While monetary compensation cannot undo the trauma experienced by the victim, legal experts note that such verdicts can empower other victims to come forward. The unnamed woman was represented by attorneys who specialize in supporting survivors of sexual assault, and they expressed satisfaction that the jury found her testimony credible.
Defense Response and Legal Aftermath
Soulja Boy’s defense team has made it clear they intend to contest the verdict. His attorney, Rickey Ivie, issued a statement questioning the foundation of the jury’s decision and suggesting that cultural biases may have influenced the outcome. The defense plans to pursue post-trial remedies, including a potential appeal, arguing that the evidence presented during the trial does not support the conclusions reached by the jury.
“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. Way fully intends to pursue his post-trial remedies and to fight for a just result in this case,” said Rickey Ivie, Soulja Boy’s attorney.
This is not the first time Soulja Boy has faced legal troubles related to alleged abuse. In a separate case, he was previously ordered to pay damages to a former girlfriend, Kayla Myers, for assault and kidnapping. Additionally, in May 2021, another lawsuit was filed against him by a different woman alleging “constant abuse” and claiming she suffered a miscarriage due to his violence. These multiple allegations have cast a shadow over the career of the rapper, who rose to fame with his 2007 hit single “Crank That (Soulja Boy).”
