motion denied

Lizzo Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Amended But Not Dismissed

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It was a mixed day in court for Lizzo yesterday. The sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the singer last year was amended but not fully dismissed. Judge Mark H. Epstein removed several accusations, including the claim that Lizzo fat-shamed one of her former dancers. However, Judge Epstein ruled that there was enough merit to move the case forward. “It is dangerous for the court to weigh in, ham-fisted, into constitutionally protected activity. But it is equally dangerous to turn a blind eye to allegations of discrimination or other forms of misconduct merely because they take place in a speech-related environment,” Epstein wrote in his decision.

Lizzo had been seeking a dismissal under California’s anit-SLAPP legislation. The law protects defendants from otherwise baseless lawsuits filed purely to silence said defendant. The law is commonly used against corporations who attempt to sue their critics into silence. The singer has long argued that this is the case with the suit she is facing. “Instead of taking any accountability for their own actions, plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against defendants out of spite and in pursuit of media attention, public sympathy and a quick payday with minimal effort,” Lizzo’s attorney wrote last year.

Read More: Wack 100 Demands Lizzo Be Considered For The Super Bowl Halftime Show

Lizzo Wants Sexual Harassment Documents Sealed By The Court

Meanwhile, Lizzo’s team ended 2023 by trying to limit the public scope of the ongoing legal battle. A motion was filed asking the court to seal a number of documents relating to ongoing sexual harassment lawsuits against the singer. In their motion, Lizzo’s team argues that “documents, correspondence and testimony that contain sensitive, confidential information and/or proprietary business information, including employee compensation, contract negotiation, and third-party sensitive contact information” should not be made public.

While the suits and countersuits surrounding Lizzo remain ongoing, the case has deeply divided the music industry. In early November, Azealia Banks came out with a surprising apology for the embattled singer. “I was having a conversation last night. And I realized that I owe @lizzobeeating a huge apology for popping so much sh-t. If hip hop will allow a 55+ severely overweight @bustarhymes who exhibits major of anabolic steroid abuse, adrenal gland failure, and constipation. And will also allow him to have a face full of blackheads and acne from what appears to be a testosterone shot abuse. And whilst drinking molly water in 2023 and wearing cartoon-like Neon yellow fake gold slick Rick chains. We have absolutely no right to be trying to skewered a YOUNG black woman – for anything,” Banks wrote.

Read More: Azealia Banks Calls Lizzo A “Dumpy Fat Girl” Before Dissing Lil Nas X

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Casanova’s Early Prison Release Plea Denied By Judge

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A judge has dismissed a plea by Casanova to release the rapper from prison. The federal judge noted that Casanova’s sentence was already at the low end of the sentencing recommendation. Furthermore, the judge argued that Casanova was asking to be released despite serving less than 20% of his sentence. Finally, the ruling also stated that Casanova has not yet proven that he is not a danger to his community. As a result, the rapper’s 15-year sentence will be upheld.

Casanova had written a personal letter to the judge asking for a compassionate release. In the letter, the Roc Nation affiliate argued that he had fully distanced himself from the Gorilla Stone Nation gang. Furthermore, Casanova pointed to the fact that he had taken a plea deal as evidence of his remorse. While Casanova was one of 18 people charged in the New Jersey RICO case, his sentence primarily stemmed from the 2018 assault of a woman. The rapper was accused of violently grabbing the woman’s phone and deleting a video she had taken of him at a restaurant.

Read More: Casanova Shares New Flick From Jail, Flexes Muscles For The Gram

Casanova’s Co-Defendants Facing Possible Life Sentences

However, November brought more news from the RICO case in which Cas had pled guilty. Dwight “Dick Wolf” Reid and Christopher “Beagle” Erskine, the purported leaders of Gorilla Stone Nation, were both found guilty on a variety of charges including racketeering. Reid was described by prosecutors as the “gang’s founder and prison leader” while Erskine was portrayed as their “street leader.” While they were acquitted on several gun charges, the two men could face up to life in prison for the convictions.

It’s likely that they will not be incarcerated at the same facility as Casanova, however. As part of his plea deal, Cas had denounced and disavowed the Gorilla Stone Nation. As a result, Cas was attacked in prison while awaiting sentencing. After inmate Ulysses Lugo “slashed” Cas’ face, the rapper reported chased down Lugo, leading to a bloody mass brawl. “Inmate Lugo? You couldn’t see his face because it was saturated in blood… and his whole uniform was saturated in blood. Inmate Senior was sitting there and blood was just coming out of his face,” a prison officer who responded to the brawl told a local news outlet at the time.

Read More: Casanova Presses Akbar V Over Dice Game In Newly Surfaced Video

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