Megan Thee Stallion's legal team has formally requested that DJ Akademiks disclose how he obtained information regarding DNA test results related to the gun allegedly used by Tory Lanez. This request is part of her ongoing defamation lawsuit against Milagro Gramz. The DNA results, which were ultimately inconclusive, were shared publicly by Akademiks and Gramz in 2022 while still under a court-ordered seal, according to court filings. Megan Thee Stallion's lawyers believe this information was leaked from Tory Lanez's legal camp.
Key Takeaways
- Megan Thee Stallion's lawyers are demanding DJ Akademiks reveal his source for DNA test results.
- The results were from the gun allegedly used by Tory Lanez in the 2020 shooting incident.
- Akademiks and Milagro Gramz posted about the results in 2022 when they were still sealed.
- Megan's team suspects a leak from Tory Lanez's side.
- This request is connected to Megan's defamation lawsuit against Milagro Gramz.
The Request for Information
The legal filing, submitted on Tuesday, September 16, and obtained by Billboard, highlights the core of Megan Thee Stallion's current legal strategy. Her legal representatives assert that DJ Akademiks and Milagro Gramz (also known as Cooper and Allen in legal documents) disseminated false characterizations of evidence months before the trial began. They argue that identifying the source of this leaked information is crucial for their case.
Megan Thee Stallion is not suing DJ Akademiks directly. Her focus remains on establishing a link between the alleged leak and the defamation claims made against her. The legal team believes that revealing Akademiks' source will help prove coordination between Gramz and Peterson (Tory Lanez).
Important Facts
- The DNA test results on the gun were ultimately found to be inconclusive, meaning neither Megan Thee Stallion's nor Tory Lanez's DNA was definitively found or excluded.
- The information was shared by Akademiks and Gramz while under a court-ordered seal, indicating a potential breach of court protocols.
- The posts by Akademiks and Gramz suggested that Megan's DNA was not on the gun, a misrepresentation of the inconclusive findings.
Allegations of Leaked Information
Megan Thee Stallion's lawyers have made strong assertions about the timing and nature of the posts by Akademiks and Gramz. They stated,
"Circulating these erroneous posts was not merely premature publication: both Cooper and Allen disseminated false characterizations of evidence months before the trial even began."This quote underscores the legal team's argument that the posts were not just early, but also inaccurate and potentially damaging.
The legal filing further explains the motivation behind seeking Akademiks' source. "Ms. Pete seeks discovery to prove that Peterson or his surrogates leaked that information — and perhaps even suggested the language of the tweet — to Cooper and Allen." This suggests that the leak might have been orchestrated to influence public perception ahead of the trial.
Connecting the Leak to Defamation
The request to compel Akademiks to reveal his source is integral to Megan Thee Stallion's defamation lawsuit against Milagro Gramz. Her lawyers wrote: "Identifying this source is essential to proving the coordination between Cooper and Peterson and exposing Cooper’s intent for perpetuating false and demeaning claims against Ms. Pete." This highlights the strategic importance of this discovery in demonstrating Gramz's alleged intent to spread misinformation.
The legal team believes that if they can trace the leak back to Tory Lanez's camp, it will strengthen their argument that Gramz knowingly participated in a coordinated effort to defame Megan Thee Stallion. This is a critical element in proving defamation in court.
Background on the Lawsuit
Megan Thee Stallion filed her defamation lawsuit against Milagro Gramz in 2024. She alleges that Gramz knowingly spread numerous falsehoods about her and the 2020 shooting case involving Tory Lanez. Gramz has denied these allegations. The lawsuit aims to hold individuals accountable for spreading misinformation.
At the time of announcing the lawsuit, Megan Thee Stallion released a statement. She expressed her frustration with the constant spread of false narratives. She emphasized the need to hold bloggers accountable for harassment and cyberbullying.
Megan Thee Stallion's Stance on Misinformation
In her statement announcing the lawsuit against Gramz, Megan Thee Stallion spoke out against the spread of false information. She stated,
“It’s time to hold bloggers accountable for years of harassment, cyberbullying, and the publication of misinformation about my personal and professional life. I’ve endured countless attacks on my character based on false narratives from social media bloggers misrepresenting themselves as journalists. It’s unacceptable behavior and these individuals need to understand there will be repercussions for recklessly posting lies and defamatory falsehoods.”
This strong statement reflects her determination to combat online harassment and the dissemination of false information. Her legal actions underscore a broader effort to seek accountability from those who spread damaging narratives on social media platforms.
Impact on Public Discourse
The incident highlights the challenges public figures face with misinformation online. Social media platforms can quickly amplify unverified claims, making it difficult for individuals to control their narratives. The legal system is often seen as a recourse for those affected by such actions.
The outcome of this discovery request could set a precedent for how leaks and misinformation are handled in high-profile legal cases. It underscores the importance of verifying information, especially when it pertains to ongoing legal proceedings and sealed evidence.
The Broader Implications
This legal maneuver is part of a larger effort by Megan Thee Stallion to address what she describes as a campaign of defamation. The court's decision on whether to compel DJ Akademiks to reveal his source could have significant implications for journalistic ethics and the spread of information on social media, especially concerning sealed court documents.
The case continues to draw attention to the responsibilities of online personalities and the potential legal consequences of sharing unverified or misleading information. It also underscores the persistent legal battles that can arise from high-profile incidents involving celebrities.