CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses sexual abuse and assault
A New York-based lawyer has sought a criminal investigation into rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, with both being accused of sexual abuse and sexual assault.
As The New York Times reports, the lawyer, Tyrone A. Blackburn, is representing 11 people who claim they were “victimized” by the the pair. Blackburn has sent letters seeking criminal inquiry to state and federal prosecutors in Georgia and California.
Among the allegations, four women claim they were drugged and sexually assaulted by the couple, including two instances of rape. In the Times article, Blackburn alleged that the incidents occurred over more than a decade, between 2005 and 2017-2018. According to Blackburn, the women describe “sexual abuse, forced ingestion of illegal narcotics, kidnapping, terroristic threats and false imprisonment” from T.I., Harris and their associates or employees.
Among the alleged victims are a military veteran and a teenage intern at T.I.’s studio and label, Grand Hustle. The Times reportedly spoke to five people who allege they were drugged, raped or sexually assaulted by the couple or those “in their orbit.” The article claims friends and family members corroborated the accounts, saying they were told of the alleged incidents soon after, and that in three of the cases, the Times reviewed messages or photos that “supported their timeline of events.”
Steve Sadow, a lawyer for T.I. and Harris, has issued a statement in response, saying they “deny in the strongest possible terms these baseless and unjustified allegations.”
“We are confident that if these claims are thoroughly and fairly investigated, no charges will be forthcoming. These allegations are nothing more than the continuation of a sordid shakedown campaign that began on social media and now attempts to manipulate the press and misuse the justice system.”
The allegations against T.I. and Harris emerged on social media last month, when an Atlanta woman, Sabrina Peterson, claimed that T.I. once held a gun to her head, threatening to kill her, in 2009.
She went on to share over 30 women’s accounts of alleged drugging and sexual abuse by the pair. The couple denied all allegations, and production was halted on the fourth season of their VH1 reality show T.I. and Tiny: Friends and Family Hustle. Blackburn claims none of the clients he is representation are among the women who made allegations via social media.
If you need assistance, 1800 RESPECT – the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service — can be reached on 1800 737 732.
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