Kevin Hart is suing YouTuber Tasha K for extortion after the gossip blogger allegedly asked him to pay $250,000 to prevent the publication of a tell-all interview with his former assistant.
In legal documents obtained by The explosion, Hart claims Tasha K – real name Latasha Transrina Kebe – asked him to make a payment to prevent the release of the interview.
Hart, 44, then sent Kebe a cease and desist order, informing her that he would not pay the six-figure sum she demanded.
The lawsuit alleges that Miesha Shakes, Hart's former assistant, made “false and defamatory statements about Hart” in the interview, according to Page six.
Shakes made allegations “that were false, including that Hart had recorded a video of a sexual encounter, and that he was facing criminal charges related to that alleged incident,” according to the lawsuit, which was viewed by People.
Kevin Hart is suing YouTuber Tasha K for racketeering after internet gossip allegedly asked him to pay $250,000 to prevent publication of a tell-all interview with his former assistant
The lawsuit described how an individual claiming to be associated with Kebe's blog contacted a member of Hart's team and expressed a desire to “publish a damaging story on social media (the 'Story').”
The person was allegedly instructed by Kebe to contact Hart with the offer.
Page Six reports that the person has threatened to “publish the interview unless Hart pays a $250,000 ransom.”
Ultimately, according to the newspaper, Kevin did not make any payment Los Angeles Times.
This person claimed that the stories told during the interview would be 'harmful to' [his] reputation,” Hart's filing said.
Shakes' allegations in the interview included claims that Hart had been unfaithful to his wife and that the actor had a gambling problem.
'Prior to threatening to publish the story, you posted a “teaser” featuring Ms. Shakes on YouTube that was clearly intended as a threat, sending a message to Mr. Hart's team that the more detailed story would not be published. be published if – and only if – the ransom is paid,” the lawsuit said, according to The Blast.
In the teaser, Kebe and Miesha praised “the supposedly lascivious and harmful nature” of the sit-down, according to Page Six.
'The teaser included a statement from Kebe at the 2:06 mark of the video in which he specifically warned that “if you don't pay, we have to get money any way we can,” the lawsuit said, according to Page Six.
Police were then reportedly contacted by Hart's team and a cease and desist letter was sent to Kebe.
In legal documents obtained by The Blast, Hart claims that Tasha K – real name Latasha Transrina Kebe – asked him to make a payment to prevent the release of the interview, prompting him to send her a cease and desist letter.
The letter stated that Shakes had signed a non-disclosure agreement with Hart during her employment and that releasing the interview would constitute “intentional interference with the contractual relations” between Hart and Shakes, according to People.
Kebe eventually informed Hart that she would publish the interview in its entirety on December 22, and it appeared on her subscription-based website later that evening.
Page Six reports that both women have been sued by Hart for racketeering and invasion of privacy.
His former assistant is also being sued for breach of contract and defamation. Hart is also suing Kebe for intentional interference with contractual relations and defamation.
Hart is not only suing Tasha, but also his former assistant; pictured November 2023
“Kebe has an established history of posting defamatory and otherwise inappropriate content about celebrities,” Kevin's lawsuit read.
Indeed, Hart isn't the only celebrity to take legal action against Kebe; Cardi B won a defamation lawsuit against Kebe last year.
When news of the lawsuit hit the internet, Kebe shared more clips of the interview on her Instagram, along with a disclaimer.
“The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the guest/interviewee and do not reflect the views of Tasha K and the production company and its affiliates,” she added.
'All topics are for entertainment purposes only! comedy satire TV-MA Viewer discretion is advised. All statements, commentary and reporting are conjectural.”