NEW YORK — The bill will be $5 million for rapper 50 Cent.
That’s what jurors figured today in a civil suit against the rapper by a Florida woman who says he humiliated her by posting a sex tape of her online.
Lavonia Leviston, according to the New York Post, broke down in tears after a jury returned a verdict against 50 Cent — $2.5 million in damages for violating her civil rights for using her image without her permission and $2.5 million for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Leviston's lawyer said that the rapper had used the video as a tool to get publicity and knock on rival rapper Rick Ross, who fathered a daughter with Leviston.
“Jackson doctored the tape of Leviston and a former boyfriend named Maurice Murray by superimposing his own character ‘Pimpin' Curly’ in the video while giving an expletive laced narration,” the Post said. “He also added two of his songs as a soundtrack for the video, which racked up millions of views.”
According to the Post, 50 Cent said in a videotaped deposition that was played for jury that he didn't think he needed Leviston's permission to use the tape because he said she was "cool with it."
The $5 million figure might be just the starting figure in the case. The parties go back to Manhattan Supreme Court next week to learn results of the punitive damages phase.