Hip-hop couple TI and Tameka “Tiny” Harris have been charged with a litany of horrific crimes – including kidnappings and rapes – of more than 30 women.
In a press release sent on Sunday, lawyer Tyrone A. Blackburn called for a criminal investigation against the couple after dozens of women appeared accusing the couple of “a multitude of forced drug charges, kidnappings, rapes and intimidation in at least two states, including California and Georgia. ”
On Monday, a lawyer for TI and Tiny said he “denies these unfounded and unfounded allegations in the strongest possible terms” and called him a “shakedown.”
In a virtual press conference on Monday, Blackburn said he was holding back women’s names because of concerns about potential intimidation.
A woman claims she was hired to do a private dance for the couple in 2018, during which a Blackburn spokeswoman said “she was forced to take [MDMA, cocaine and other drugs} and engage in unwanted sexual acts with other women. She had her cell phone and belongings taken and was held against her will for three days.”
In 2015, Tiny allegedly hired a teenage friend to work as their assistant, and “on one occasion, T.I. stood over her, and Tiny stood close by, and T.I. forced her to open her mouth and swallow eight ecstasy pills,” Blackburn’s spokesperson added. The alleged victim also claims that she wasn’t paid for her work as an assistant.
Allegations against the couple had circulated on social media before Blackburn made his announcement.
“Clifford (T.I.) and Tameka [Tiny] Harris denies them in the strongest terms possible
unfounded and unfounded accusations. We are confident that if these allegations are thoroughly and correctly investigated, no allegations will be made, “said Steve Sadow, the couple’s lawyer, in a statement on their behalf. “These accusations are nothing more than the continuation of a sordid shakedown campaign that started on social media. Harrise begs everyone not to be captivated by these obvious attempts to manipulate the press and misuse the justice system. “
Blackburn filed a defamation suit against the couple on behalf of Sabrina Peterson, one of their first accusers, who accused the couple of sex trafficking and accused TI of putting a gun to her head. But he says the other anonymous women aren’t looking for money.
“They are looking for justice … These women have never applied for money. They never asked for money. Steve Sadow, maybe he was wrong … I didn’t ask him for a dollar and from what I received from the conversations I had from the emails, they were very, very interested in killing this story and these statements. ” Blackburn told a news conference, “They didn’t want that to come out.”
Sadow responded with another statement denying that he had tried to “reach an agreement” to kill the story.
“It simply came to our notice then. I reached out to see if he would share any information from his
the name was posted on Instagram as a lawyer for Sabrina Peterson. Black burn
has repeatedly refused to provide the names of the plaintiffs-clients or any corroboration
or to support evidence of his unfounded claims. Harrise repeats that I am
confident if a thorough and fair investigation is carried out, there will be no charges
brought.”
Vh1 suspended the production of their reality show, “TI & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle”, after Peterson made the accusations.