Lil Tjay’s Attorney Slams ‘False Reports’ That The Rapper Was Named In A New Federal Gang Indictment

Lil Tjay Ruisrock 2024 (1024x437)
Getty Image

Lil Tjay fans are breathing a sigh of relief. Yesterday (September 13), a viral report claimed that the “Calling My Phone” rapper was named in a federal gang indictment. While Lil Tjay has previously found himself in several legal entanglements, his attorney is proudly announced that the claim is “false.”

In a post shared to her Instagram Stories, Attorney Dawn Florio slammed the news are “false.”

“Despite recent reports, we want to clarify that my client, rap artist Tione Jayden Merritt, professionally known as Lil Tjay, has not been indicted,” read the note. “We are aware of several news outlets that have shared false information regarding his legal matter, and we wish to address these inaccuracies.”

To close the statement, Florio turned her attention to the publications that published the initial unsubstantiated rumor, writing: “We urge all media outlets to exercise caution and ensure proper due diligences before publishing speculative or unfounded claims. Reporting inaccurate information not only damages reputations, but misleads the public.”

Although the firm did not call out the platforms by name, No Jumper was one of the first companies to broadcast the claim. In a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), shared footage of Fox 5‘s coverage of an alleged Bronx, New York criminal organization, Slattery Gang, incorrectly tying the hometown musician to the ongoing case.

View Lil Tjay’s attorney Dawn Florio’s full statement below.

Instagram

Lil Tjay Arrested Again, Attorney Calls It “So Unfortunate”

When it rains, it pours, and new reports state Lil Tjay has been arrested for the second time this month. The New York City rapper was previously detained while on his way to film a music video with Ice Spice. According to reports, Tjay was inside a vehicle with several other people when officers approached. They were said to have been in a no-idling zone, and soon, police searched the vehicle.

It was then that they allegedly located a firearm, and while the rapper wasn’t the driver, he was arrested. It was more recently shared that the rapper was taken into custody once again.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: Lil Tjay performs during Rolling Loud New York 2021 at Citi Field on October 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images)
Read More: Lil Tjay Arrested For Gun Possession: Report

Dawn Florio, Tjay’s attorney, also detailed this most recent arrest in a statement to XXL.

“Lil Tjay was not rearrested for another gun charge,” she said. “He was excused from appearing in court last Friday by the arraignment Judge. Another Judge revoked his bond and put him back in jail for missing court on Friday even though he was told by the first Judge that he did not have appear.”

“Lil Tjay’s family posted the bail yesterday and he is free. It is so unfortunate that he had to be jailed for something that was not his fault.”

HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 28: Lil Tjay attends RapCaviar Presents James Harden & Friends at Bayou Music Center on August 28, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Spotify)

Read More: Lil Tjay’s Attorney Questions If Police Had The Right To Search Vehicle: Report

Following Tjay’s previous arrest earlier this month, Florio questioned whether the search on the vehicle was legal. That investigation is ongoing.

[via]