Busta Rhymes Countersuit Ex-Assistant – Legal News
- Busta Rhymes, born Trevor Smith Jr., was arrested in Brooklyn in January on third-degree assault charges after allegedly striking then-assistant Dashiel Gables in the face.Gables afterward filed a...
- The initial lawsuit detailed allegations of a hostile work surroundings and physical violence.
- Rhymes has countersued Gables, vehemently denying the assault allegations.
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Busta Rhymes Countersues Former Assistant Over Assault Allegations
Table of Contents
What Happened: The Initial Allegations
Busta Rhymes, born Trevor Smith Jr., was arrested in Brooklyn in January on third-degree assault charges after allegedly striking then-assistant Dashiel Gables in the face.Gables afterward filed a federal lawsuit this summer accusing Rhymes of physical assault and other workplace abuses.
The initial lawsuit detailed allegations of a hostile work surroundings and physical violence. Gables claimed the assault occurred while on the job and sought damages for physical and emotional distress.
The Countersuit: Denials and Defamation Claims
Rhymes has countersued Gables, vehemently denying the assault allegations. According to Billboard, Smith’s attorney Patrick Butler asserted in the counterclaim docketed on Monday (Oct. 13) in federal court that the artist did not batter Gables. The lawyer alleges that Gables “knew the statements were false, or acted with reckless disregard for the truth, including by fabricating allegations of criminal conduct and violence, omitting exculpatory facts and deliberately ignoring contrary evidence.”
The countersuit further alleges that Gables shared his previous lawsuit with the media, causing damage to Rhymes’ reputation. Specifically, the filing claims that Rhymes was dropped from two advertising campaigns as a direct result of the defamatory claims made by Gables.
Financial Impact of the Allegations
The loss of advertising campaigns represents a meaningful financial blow to Rhymes. While the specific value of these campaigns hasn’t been publicly disclosed, endorsements are a considerable revenue stream for artists of his stature. The countersuit seeks to recover damages related to these lost opportunities.
Legal Responses and Ongoing Proceedings
Mark A.Panzavecchia, a lawyer representing Gables, responded to the filing in a statement to Rolling Stone, stating, “There is absolutely no basis for the counterclaim.”
The case is currently ongoing in federal court. The next steps will likely involve finding, depositions, and potentially a trial. The timeline for resolution remains uncertain.