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What the jury decided
The jury found Way liable for sexual battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment and nonpayment of wages. It rejected the plaintiff’s claims of false imprisonment and constructive discharge. The Associated Press reported the findings; Courthouse News Service reported the total award.
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How much was awarded—and what the damages mean
The reported total was $4.25 million. Courthouse News described the compensatory portion as just over $4 million, with $250,000 in punitive damages; AP reported about $4 million in compensatory damages and another $250,000 in punitive damages. Compensatory damages address harm recognized in the civil case, while punitive damages are intended to punish and deter wrongful conduct.
What the lawsuit alleged
The former assistant filed suit in 2021. According to The Washington Post’s account of the case, she said she began working for Way in 2018, was promised $500 per week for personal-assistant work, and alleged repeated assault and harassment between 2019 and 2020 while working for him and living with him. AP also reported the lawsuit alleged she was not paid.
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Those details describe the plaintiff’s allegations and account, not separate jury findings about every alleged incident. The jury’s specific findings were liability on the claims listed above. The plaintiff has remained unnamed in coverage; AP said it does not typically identify people who say they have been sexually abused.
How the parties responded
Plaintiff’s attorney Neama Rahmani said, “Today’s verdict is just the beginning of justice for Soulja Boy’s victims, and other victims in the music industry.”
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Lead defense attorney Rickey Ivie said, “We maintain that the evidence does not support the verdict. It is unfortunate that aspersions and misperceptions of a culture were allowed to influence the trial. Mr. Way fully intends to pursue his post-trial remedies and to fight for a just result in this case.”
These statements were reported by The Associated Press. The contemporaneous reports establish the defense’s stated intention to pursue post-trial remedies, but do not establish whether a motion or appeal was later filed or resolved. They also do not establish whether the award has been collected.
Why this was not a criminal conviction
This case was a civil lawsuit. A finding of civil liability means the jury decided the plaintiff proved specified civil claims under the standards applicable to the trial; it is not a criminal conviction, and the reports do not describe a criminal prosecution in this case.
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