After days of silence, Fat Joe has finally issued a public statement after a lawsuit was filed by a former friend and business associate, accusing him of several crimes, including having sex with minors.
“I’ve been tested the last few months – I’ve lost my big brother, my father, my mother and now I’m fighting against these disgusting lies,” the rapper wrote in a post shared on social media.
“But please know I will not break and I will never back down. I’ve had individuals in my circle take my love and kindness for weakness, but how many times must we forgive them?”
Fat Joe is being sued for $20 million by his former hype man, Terrance “T.A.” Dixon, who claims the rapper exploited and abused him for over 16 years. Dixon accuses Joe of labor exploitation, financial fraud, and sexual coercion. He claims to have contributed vocals and lyrics to tracks like “Congratulations” and “Ice Cream” but was never credited.
The suit also alleges Dixon was forced into over 4,000 coerced sex acts, often under surveillance, and threatened with abandonment if he refused.
Attorney Tyrone Blackburn is representing Dixon.
Fat Joe says that Dixon was “fired for doing something wrong,” and that instead of “just [taking] the L and [living] with it,” he filed a bogus lawsuit instead.
“They figure they can make up the most insane stories and, if they threaten you with a lawsuit, then you’ll pay and they’ll feel like they finally won. Problem with your theory, I’ve never let anyone on the streets extort me, so how would I ever let a crooked attorney and a coward ex-hype man extort me?? I’m from the Bronx!” he continued, adding, “we will finish you in court.”
“You’ve messed with the wrong one this time!!”