Busta Rhymes Pushes Back In Court

Busta Rhymes has filed a defamation countersuit in opposition to his former assistant in Brooklyn federal courtroom, denying claims of assault, harassment and wage theft. The Hip-Hop veteran, born Trevor Smith Jr., known as the allegations “false” and retaliatory in a response submitted October 13.

The authorized dispute stems from a lawsuit filed by Dashiel Gables, who labored for Smith between July 2024 and January 2025. Gables alleged that Smith bodily attacked him, underpaid him and broken his profession within the Hip-Hop business after he spoke out.

Assault Claim Called Fabricated

Smith’s authorized workforce admitted Gables was employed by Starbus LLC and earned $1,500 per week, however denied all accusations of violence or abuse. The most critical cost—that Smith punched Gables in a Brooklyn foyer in January—was flatly rejected.

According to the submitting, “The two were present, but the alleged assault never occurred.”

Defamation Countersuit Targets Public Statements

Smith’s attorneys, led by J. Patrick Butler, filed a countersuit accusing Gables of spreading falsehoods to the press and at a public press convention. The countersuit highlights a number of claims made by Gables, together with that Smith spat on staff, made threats and as soon as pressured an assistant to unclog a bathroom together with his naked fingers.

“The foregoing statements are statements of purported fact, not opinion or protected rhetorical hyperbole, and they are false,” Butler wrote. “Smith did not assault or batter Gables, did not ‘routinely assault’ or spit on employees, did not make the alleged threats, and did not commit the other wrongful acts asserted as facts by Gables.”

Smith is in search of compensatory and punitive damages, lawyer’s charges and a full retraction of the statements.

@joy.of.everything After the 2025 Grammy’s, we witnessed hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes come undone. At instances he was jovial and gracious and at different instances aggressive and unhinged. At one level he even smacked my telephone. #bustarhymes #grammys music/Creepy-simple-horror-ambient-1270589-7122499778310572033?refer=embed”>♬ Creepy easy horror ambient(1270589) – howlingindicator

Gables Alleges Toxic Work Environment

Gables’ unique criticism, filed August 4 within the Eastern District of New York, paints a grim image of his time working for the rapper. He described lengthy hours, verbal abuse and humiliating duties, together with the now-infamous bathroom incident.

He additionally claimed he labored 15 to 18 hours a day, seven days per week, for a flat $200 every day price—with out extra time or correct wage documentation.

The criticism alleges that tensions escalated in January 2025, when Smith allegedly punched Gables a number of instances for texting his daughter and failing to retrieve meals shortly. Gables mentioned he sought medical therapy for facial accidents and filed a police report.

Criminal Charge Followed Police Report

According to NBC News, Smith later surrendered to authorities and was charged with third-degree assault. Gables claims he was blacklisted from the Hip-Hop business after reporting the incident and is in search of between $6 million and $7 million in damages.

Smith’s countersuit argues that Gables acted with “actual malice” and both knew his statements had been false or ignored proof on the contrary.

“At a minimum, Gables acted negligently in ascertaining the truth,” Butler wrote.

The case is at present assigned to Judge Margo M. Horan within the Eastern District of New York. Both events are making ready for the invention part, which is anticipated to unfold within the coming months.

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