A federal jury on Thursday discovered hip-hop producer Metro Boomin not liable in his civil sexual assault case, after almost a 12 months of litigation. He’s feeling greater than relieved.
“I’m grateful and grateful to God that I can lastly put all of this nonsense behind me,” the Grammy-nominated “Like That” musician stated in an announcement shared on Instagram after the decision.
The jury sided with the 32-year-old artist, whose actual title is Leland Tyler Wayne, after a short trial that started Tuesday. He was cleared in all 4 actionable claims introduced by Vanessa LeMaistre, who first raised her allegations in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles in October 2024.
LeMaistre stated in her preliminary lawsuit that she and Wayne struck up a connection in spring of 2016 amid their mutual grief: The musician had damaged up with a longtime girlfriend and LeMaistre had misplaced a 9-month-old son “on account of a uncommon and deadly illness,” based on courtroom paperwork. LeMaistre alleged the assault occurred that September after he invited her to a recording studio to observe him work.
LeMaistre described the alleged incident because the “second worst factor that ever occurred to her,” apart from the dying of her little one. She additionally accused Wayne of impregnating her by rape and stated she underwent an abortion.
The producer’s authorized staff shortly denied the allegations final October and dismissed the criticism as a “pure shakedown.” Legal professional Lawrence C. Hinkle II echoed these sentiments Thursday in an announcement shared after the decision.
“We’re extraordinarily grateful for the jury’s cautious consideration of the proof and for reaching the right determination,” Hinkle stated. “The allegations towards Mr. Wayne have been frivolous and unequivocally false. Mr. Wayne has endured critical and damaging accusations, and in the present day’s verdict confirms what he has at all times stated — the plaintiff’s claims towards him are fully fabricated.”
After Thursday’s verdict, LeMaistre lawyer Michael J. Willemin stated that though “the authorized system is usually stacked towards survivors, our consumer confirmed unwavering fortitude all through this trial.”
Willemin added: “We’re disillusioned within the final result however are proud to characterize Ms. LeMaistre and consider that the decision will finally be overturned on attraction.”
Although the case — which was moved from L.A. County Superior Courtroom to California Central District Courtroom in December — led to victory for Metro Boomin, he stated in his assertion it additionally resulted in a “a protracted checklist of losses.” He lamented the time and money “wasted” within the litigation course of and stated there had been an “incalculable amount of cash and alternatives that didn’t make it to me or my staff throughout this time.”
The Missouri-born artist additionally spoke concerning the case’s toll on his private life, writing that “the trauma my household and I’ve endured throughout this darkish interval can by no means be forgiven.” He detailed adopting his youngest siblings and expressed concern over their attainable on-line publicity to the case.
“I’m disillusioned in not solely the plaintiff however the janky legal professionals who made the made the aware determination to tackle this go well with, despite the fact that it was evident way back that these claims had no legs or benefit and wouldn’t find yourself going wherever,” he stated, later expressing gratitude for his personal authorized staff.
Metro Boomin rose to prominence within the mid-2010s, working with rap stars together with Younger Thug, Future and Nicki Minaj. Over time, he has additionally racked up collaborations with Drake, Kanye “Ye” West, Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Lil Wayne. Most lately, he reunited with Younger Thug as a producer for Thug’s new album, “UY Scuti,” the rapper’s first since his launch from Georgia’s Fulton County Jail final October.
With the case behind him for now, Metro Boomin concluded his assertion by sending “peace and like to the precise victims on the market in addition to the harmless and accused.”
