Kevin Hart takes legal action against YouTuber and ex-assistant over alleged extortion and defamation

Kevin Hart, a prominent actor and comedian, has filed a lawsuit against his former assistant and a YouTuber, claiming an attempted six-figure extortion to prevent the release of what he deems a defamatory interview. Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the lawsuit alleges that Tasha K, known as Latasha Kebe, orchestrated a scheme aiming to extort $250,000 from Hart by threatening to air an interview featuring false statements made by Hart's ex-assistant, Miesha Shakes.

The lawsuit accuses Shakes of making unfounded claims during the interview, including allegations of Hart facing criminal charges related to recording a sexual encounter. Tasha K, with over a million subscribers on her YouTube channel focused on celebrity gossip, was involved in a similar defamatory claims case previously, where a federal appeals court upheld a $4 million judgment against her.

Hart's legal complaint highlights an attempt by an unidentified affiliate of Kebe to coerce payment from him under threat of publishing damaging content. Refusing to comply, Hart took legal action, involving law enforcement and issuing a cease-and-desist order to Kebe. His legal team warned of potential civil litigation and emphasized that any resulting damages wouldn't be dischargeable through bankruptcy.


The lawsuit details a teaser for the interview, posted in November, where Kebe allegedly threatened Hart by stating, "When you don’t pay, we have to get money by any means necessary." Additionally, Hart accuses Shakes of breaching confidentiality agreements by divulging sensitive business and personal information related to him.

Shakes, previously employed as Hart's personal assistant from 2017 to 2020, is claimed to have breached confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements by disclosing confidential information during the interview. Despite Shakes' allegations, the lawsuit argues that her knowledge of such matters stemmed exclusively from her employment with Hart and Hartbeat Productions.

The lawsuit also disputes claims made in the interview, including allegations about Hart's personal life, such as being a serial cheater and a gambling addict who paid someone to take DUI charges. The interview was reportedly accessible on Kebe's website through a subscription fee.

Regarding the allegedly defamatory statements, the lawsuit specifically cites claims about legal disputes involving Hart, including the recording of a sexual encounter and facing criminal charges related to it.

To substantiate his claims, Hart needs to demonstrate that Shakes acted with malice or recklessness, meeting the stringent criteria for public figures alleging defamation. This involves proving an intent to harm with prior knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.

While the lawsuit accuses Kebe of extortion, intentional interference with contractual relations, and invasion of privacy, she wasn't directly implicated in defamation. A representative for Kebe encouraged audiences to watch the entire interview.

This legal dispute arises years after Hart publicly apologized in 2017 for infidelity and an extortion attempt involving another individual.

Hart's lawsuit against his former assistant and the YouTuber reflects a high-stakes legal battle, demanding evidence of malicious intent and reckless disregard for truth in the dissemination of allegedly defamatory content.