REALITY TV
TV
MOVIES
MUSIC
CELEBRITY
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Accuracy & Fairness Corrections & Clarifications Ethics Code Your Ad Choices
© MEAWW All rights reserved
MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

ASAP Rocky sued for defamation over 2021 shooting by former collaborator ASAP Relli

ASAP Rocky's lawyer Joe Tacopina said, 'This is actually nothing more than a publicity stunt which is going to backfire badly'
PUBLISHED SEP 12, 2023
ASAP Relli (L) is suing rapper ASAP Rocky (Screengrab/ Key Talk Media, Arturo Holmes/ Facebook, Getty Images)
ASAP Relli (L) is suing rapper ASAP Rocky (Screengrab/ Key Talk Media, Arturo Holmes/ Facebook, Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ASAP Rocky is now the subject of a defamation lawsuit brought against him by former collaborator ASAP Relli (born Terell Ephron), as reported by TMZ.

The lawsuit claims that Rocky and his attorney, Joe Tacopina, were sued for defamation by Relli in response to a press campaign orchestrated by Tacopina on behalf of his client, following a shooting incident in November 2021. 


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by A$AP ROCKY (@asaprocky)


 

Why is ASAP Relli suing ASAP Rocky?

ASAP Relli alleged that ASAP Rocky shot him following an altercation in Hollywood. He says ASAP Rocky's lawyer, Tacopina, defamed him when he denied Rocky's wrongdoing in the press.

Rocky was arrested for this incident in April 2022 at LAX, where he had arrived on a private jet with Rihanna.

ASAP Rocky and  Rihanna pose for a picture as they celebrate her beauty brands Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skinat Goya Studios on February 11, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
ASAP Rocky and Rihanna (Getty Images)

ASAP Rocky has pled not guilty

Rocky has entered a plea of not guilty in his ongoing criminal case, but Relli is claiming that Tacopina, acting on Rocky's behalf, defamed him. Relli contended that Tacopina's media efforts portrayed him as "a liar, a money grabber, and an extortionist."

Tacopina said, "Rocky didn't commit a crime. It was an extortion attempt by a former associate, who threatened to make false, criminal accusations if Rocky didn't pay him."

In his lawsuit, Relli claims that he has been subjected to death threats and online harassment as a direct consequence of Tacopina's statements. The severity of these threats and harassment has led him to seek therapy, as the ordeal has adversely impacted his sleep patterns and overall mental well-being.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by A$AP ROCKY (@asaprocky)


 

ASAP Relli's lawsuit is allegedly a 'publicity stunt'

Relli is seeking unspecified damages through this lawsuit, while Tacopina characterizes the legal action as nothing more than a "publicity stunt."

"This is actually nothing more than a publicity stunt which is going to backfire badly," Tacopino said. 

"I more than welcome this lawsuit especially because the resolution of the criminal case has not happened yet," Tacopino added.

"This opens up this extortionist to depositions under oath now before the resolution of the criminal case. It will expose the fraud he committed and unfortunately for his lawyers, it will cause them to be responsible for legal fees in this case," he alleged.  

"They don't know the facts of this case or the actions taken by their client. But, I will be more than happy to educate them," Tacopina concluded.

POPULAR ON MEAWW
MORE ON MEAWW