Quote from Oladosun Joshua Segun on April 11, 2025, 5:47 AM

Soulja Boy, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was indeed ordered to pay $4 million in damages after a California jury found him liable for assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress in a civil lawsuit. The case involved allegations from a former personal assistant, referred to as Jane Doe, who accused him of abuse during their two-year relationship. This isn't the first time Soulja Boy has faced legal action for similar accusations. It's a heavy situation, and it highlights the importance of accountability.

According to her complaint, which was obtained Doe began working for the “Kiss Me thru the Phone” rapper, 34, in December 2018 under the agreement that she’d receive $500 a week for her services, which included cleaning, cooking and more.

Less than a month later, Doe says Soulja began sending “unsolicited pictures of his penis,” and though they started a brief consensual romantic relationship, it soon turned violent, the lawsuit alleges.

This verdict came four years after she filed the lawsuit, alleging violent attacks during their professional and personal relationship. The panel also agreed Way acted with malice, oppression or fraud, and awarded her another $250,000 in punitive damages.

“I feel like I got justice. Obviously, it’s not going to return everything I lost. I lost way more than I gained. My hope is he doesn’t do this to any more women,”

The Jane Doe shared after the jurors were excused. The woman said it was hard to step forward and testify, especially when she had to give “embarrassing” details about her lowest points in her relationship with Way, and that was grateful the jury understood. “I don’t even recognize that person anymore the person he turned me into. It was the worst version of myself. It was like I was in survival mode,” she said.

The jury's decision in Soulja Boy's case was indeed nuanced. While they found him liable for placing Jane Doe in fear, subjecting her to sexually offensive contact, gender violence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, they did not uphold claims of false imprisonment or a hostile work environment. The timeline of her employment, from January to July 2019, was marked by what the jury deemed "severe or pervasive" harassment.

The financial breakdown of the compensatory damages included $760,000 for assault and $1.5 million for sexual battery. His reaction in court, from a faint smile to a visibly downcast demeanor, reflects the weight of the verdict.

“The district attorney never filed charges. I was never charged or convicted of this, criminally. So, to be accused of this civilly is beyond me. I’ve never done any of the things they’re accusing me of. I just feel like this is very unfair,” Way shared Thursday afternoon. In a longer, prepared statement that he read off his phone, Way said, “I want to make it clear that I’m innocent. This case was never about justice. It was about money and personal gain, and I will not let that stand. I am committed to filing an appeal and fighting for the truth to be revealed.”

Jane Doe’s lead lawyer, Ronald Zambrano, praised the verdict, saying, “We’re happy our client was vindicated.” His co-counsel, Neama Rahmani, said the Jane Doe was particularly grateful the jury found Way liable on the sexual assault claims. “Those were the ones that certainly caused the most damage,” he said. “She feels vindicated because he called her a liar. He said  she was never an employee nothing more than a disgruntled, jealous, lying ex. And the jury rejected that argument.” Rahmani said that prior to the trial, Way’s defense made a settlement offer of $100,000.

During the punitive damages phase of the trial, Soulja Boy testified about his financial situation, revealing that he pays $25,000 monthly for his rented mansion and owns five cars, including a Lamborghini. He claimed his income last month was only $20,000, and he was late on his rent payment. He also mentioned having two young children, ages 1 and 2, and lacking health insurance. Additionally, he stated that the sexual assault accusations caused him to miss out on a significant performance opportunity at Coachella.

His lawyer, Ayang Inyang, argued that the additional $4 million in punitive damages requested by Jane Doe would be financially devastating and could lead to bankruptcy.