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 Blast, Hart claims that Tasha K – real name Latasha Transrina Kebe – asked him for a payment to prevent the interview from being published.
Hart, 44, then sent Kebe a cease-and-desist letter informing her that he would not pay the six-figure amount she was demanding.
The lawsuit claims 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 recorded a video of a sexual encounter and that he was prosecuted for that alleged incident,” according to the lawsuit, seen by People.
Kevin Hart is suing YouTuber Tasha K for extortion after internet gossip allegedly asked him to pay $250,000 to prevent the publication of a tell-all interview with his former assistant
The lawsuit described how a person claiming to be associated with Kebe's blog contacted a member of Hart's team and expressed his 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 the person threatened to “publish the interview unless Hart pays a $250,000 ransom.”
According to the Los Angeles Times, Kevin ultimately didn't make any payment.
This person claimed that the statements told during the interview were “damaging.” [his] reputation,” Hart’s filing states.
Among the allegations Shakes made in the interview were claims that Hart was unfaithful to his wife and that the actor had a gambling problem.
“Prior to your threatened publication of the story, you posted a “teaser” featuring Ms. Shakes on YouTube that was clearly intended as a threat, and sent a message to Mr. Hart's team that the more detailed story would not be published if, and only, if – the ransom is paid,” the lawsuit states, according to The Blast.
In the teaser, Kebe and Miesha touted “the allegedly lewd and harmful nature” of the session, according to Page Six.
“The teaser included a statement from Kebe at the 2:06 mark of the video in which he specifically warned, 'If you don't pay, we will have to get money by any means necessary,'” the lawsuit says, according to Page Six.
Hart's team is said to have then contacted the police and sent a cease and desist letter 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 interview from being published, prompting him to send her a cease and desist letter
The letter said that Shakes signed a nondisclosure agreement with Hart during her employment and that publishing the interview would constitute “an intentional interference with the contractual relationships” between Hart and Shakes, according to People.
Kebe eventually told Hart that she would release the entire interview on December 22nd, and it was posted on her subscription-based website later that evening.
Page Six reports that both of Hart's women are being sued for extortion and invasion of privacy.
His former assistant is also being sued for breach of contract and slander. Hart is also suing Kebe for intentional interference with contractual relationships and defamation.
Hart is suing not only Tasha, but also his former assistant; pictured in November 2023
“Kebe has a long history of publishing defamatory and otherwise inappropriate content about celebrities,” Kevin’s lawsuit states.
In fact, Hart isn't the only celebrity to have taken legal action against Kebe – Cardi B won a defamation lawsuit against Kebe last year.
As news of the lawsuit spread online, Kebe shared more excerpts of the interview along with a disclaimer on her Instagram.
“The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the guest/interviewee and do not reflect the opinions of Tasha K and the production company and its affiliates,” she added in the caption.
“All topics are for entertainment purposes only!” Comedy Satire TV-MA Viewer discretion is recommended. All statements, comments and reporting are presumed.'