Rapper 50 Cent was
ordered yesterday to pay another US$2 million to a woman over a
sex tape, despite his pleas that he was short of cash.
A jury announced that
it was imposing the amount in punitive damages against 50 Cent, bringing to
US$7 million the total amount he has to pay over the case.
The Florida-based
woman, Lastonia Leviston, said she felt vindicated after the decision of the
jury in New York.
“I hope he learned a
lesson,” she was quoted saying by the Daily News.
A video that went
online in 2009 depicted Leviston in sex acts that were narrated by 50 Cent, who
disguised himself in a wig and spoke in an artificially high voice to portray
his character “Pimpin’ Curly.”
50 Cent, whose real
name is Curtis James Jackson III, used the video to mock fellow rapper Rick
Ross, who was formerly in a relationship with Leviston.
50 Cent apologized in
court and argued that he was not responsible for the video.
After the first set of
damages, he filed for bankruptcy protection, saying his liabilities and assets
were in the same range.
The “Get Rich or Die
Tryin’” rapper testified that his lavish lifestyle was all a facade and that he
borrowed the fancy cars and jewelry that he showed off in public.
The US$2 million in
punitive damages, however, is less than the US$15 million in additional
compensation sought by Leviston’s lawyers.
The initial US$5
million had been half damages for violating Leviston’s civil rights and half
for intentionally inflicting emotional distress.
Forbes magazine
estimated earlier this year that 50 Cent was worth US$155 million, having made
US$100 million in 2007 by selling his stake in energy drink VitaminWater.
50 Cent, who lives in
a Connecticut mansion once owned by boxer Mike Tyson, told the court he was worth
US$4.4 million
Last year he was
ordered to pay US$16 million on charges of spreading trade secrets of headphone
maker Sleek Audio.
- AFP
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