Kevin Hart Sues YouTuber Tasha K for Extortion
Kevin Hart is taking legal action against his former assistant and controversial YouTuber Tasha K over an alleged extortion surrounding a “defamatory” interview.
On Tuesday, the actor filed the complaint in L.A. Superior Court alleging that Tasha K, born Latasha Kebe, asked for a $250,000 ransom so that she not publish a “defamatory” interview with his former personal assistant Miesha Shakes.
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The lawsuit, obtained by Rolling Stone, accuses both Kebe and Shakes of extortion and invasion of privacy, Shakes of breach of contract and defamation, and Kebe of intentional interference with contractual relations.
In the lawsuit, Hart claims that an anonymous Kebe associate called his team requesting $250,000 so that she not publish the interview with Shakes. Hart states that he and his representatives soon contacted the police, did not pay the ransom, and that they sent a cease and desist letter to Kebe on Nov. 22.
“You have already engaged in criminal conduct and tortious acts that would entitle Mr. Hart to monetary damages against you should he elect to commence civil litigation regarding this matter,” read the letter.
The lawsuit references an Instagram Live posted by Kebe in which she makes a “threat” to Hart. “When you don’t pay, we have to get money by any means necessary,” Kebe says in the video.
When approached for comment Wednesday, a representative for Tasha K sent Rolling Stone a link to Kebe’s website and a note to “watch the full interview” with Shakes there. (Lawyers for Hart did not immediately respond.)
Kebe ultimately published the interview on Dec. 12 online for a $12-a-month subscription fee. In the video, Shakes alleges that Hart had an affair in his office, has gambling issues, and that he paid someone millions to take DUI charges for him. She also claims that she told Hart’s wife Eniko about Hart’s alleged affair.
The lawsuit also alleges that Shakes — Hart’s former assistant — violated an NDA and confidentiality agreement by going on the podcast and sharing private information about her time working with Hart. The lawsuit claims the interview included “false and defamatory statements” regarding Hart, along with private information.
“Shakes’ actions in publishing defamatory statements regarding Hart were done with
oppression, fraud and malice, to deprive Hart of his personal liberty, property
or legal rights, and otherwise causing injury, and such actions were despicable conduct that subjected Hart to unjust hardship in conscious disregard of his rights,” the lawsuit reads.
For the breach of contract cause of action against Shakes and the intentional interference with contractual relations action against Kebe, Hart requests $90,000 in compensatory damages and attorney fees each.
Kebe is the same YouTuber who lost a court battle with Cardi B after she published “false and defamatory” statements that the rapper had herpes, engaged in prostitution, used cocaine, and committed adultery. Kebe was forced to remove more than a dozen videos and social media posts after losing the $4 million defamation case against Cardi B.
Regarding the cheating allegations mentioned by Shakes in the interview, Hart previously issued a public apology in 2017 after he admitted to cheating on his wife Eniko Parrish when she was pregnant. At the time, Hart was also extorted about cheating with model Montia Sabbag.
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