Kevin Hart has reportedly initiated legal proceedings against popular YouTuber and gossip blogger, Tasha K, on charges of extortion.
The controversy erupted when Tasha K allegedly demanded a sum of $250,000 from Hart to prevent the release of a potentially damaging tell-all interview with his former assistant.
Kevin Hart found himself being targeted by Tasha K, a well-known digital personality who often delves into celebrity gossip and scandals.
She was previously embroiled in a court case with Cardi B.
The legal battle between famous rapper Tasha K had been a high-profile lawsuit that has captured the attention of the media.
The feud began in 2019 when Tasha K, whose real name is Latasha Kebe, posted a series of videos on her YouTube channel making slanderous claims about Cardi B’s lifestyle and health.
These included allegations of drug abuse, prostitution, and even carrying sexually transmitted diseases.
Cardi responded by filing a defamation lawsuit against Tasha K in March 2019.
The rapper’s legal team alleged that Tasha K’s false statements were damaging her reputation, causing emotional distress, and were even leading to death threats against her.
Cardi B sought an injunction to remove the videos from YouTube and demanded punitive damages for the harm caused.
The court proceedings have been complex and drawn out, with Tasha K initially filing a counterclaim alleging that Cardi B had threatened her online and over the phone.
However, the court dismissed these allegations, ruling that they did not constitute special damages. This left the original defamation claim by Cardi B as the main focus of the lawsuit.
In the most recent development, in January 2022, a federal jury sided with Cardi B.
They found Tasha K guilty of defamation and ordered her to pay a significant sum in damages.
The jury awarded $1 million for pain and suffering, $250,000 for medical expenses related to emotional distress, and $250,000 in punitive damages.
The ruling was seen as a landmark victory for celebrities seeking to protect their reputations from harmful online content.
The verdict in the defamation lawsuit between Cardi B and Tasha K serves as a warning to bloggers and social media influencers about the potential legal consequences of spreading false information about individuals.
But back to Kevin Hart. The contentious issue at hand revolves around an alleged interview that Tasha K claims to have conducted with Hart’s ex-assistant, Miesha Shakes.
This interview is said to contain revelations that could potentially harm Hart’s public image and personal life.
According to sources close to the situation, Tasha K approached Hart with a demand of $250,000 as a sort of ‘hush money.’
If the sum was paid, Tasha K would refrain from releasing the interview in question.
The act of demanding money in exchange for withholding potentially damaging information is referred to as extortion, a serious criminal offense punishable by law.
In the interview, the assistant accuses Kevin of infidelity among other serious allegations.
But the full interview is rumored to contain intimate details about Hart’s personal life and professional behavior that could cast him in an unfavorable light.
In the lawsuit, per The Blast, the comedian’s attorneys wrote, “In advance of your threatened publication of the Story, you posted a “teaser” with Ms. Shakes on YouTube which clearly was intended as a threat, sending a message to Mr. Hart’s team that the more detailed Story would not be published if – and only if – the ransom is paid.”
“The teaser included a statement from Kebe at the 2:06 mark of the video specifically warning that “when you don’t pay, we have to get money by any means necessary.”
Faced with this threat, Hart chose not to bow down to the pressure and instead opted for legal recourse.
Kevin Hart’s legal team has since initiated proceedings against Tasha K.
Extortion charges are serious and could lead to severe consequences if proven guilty.
There’s no doubt that this legal battle will be closely watched by both fans and social media users.
It is important to note that these allegations are yet to be proven in court and both Kevin Hart and Tasha K are entitled to a fair trial.
However, this situation underscores the growing concern around the abuse of power and responsibility by social media influencers and bloggers in their quest for views and clicks.
It also raises questions about the privacy rights of celebrities and the extent to which their personal lives should be protected from public scrutiny.