Busta Rhymes Faces Lawsuit Alleging Assault, Wage Theft, and Discrimination
A former assistant has filed a lawsuit against rapper Busta Rhymes, whose legal name is Trevor Smith Jr., alleging a pattern of abuse, unpaid wages, and discriminatory behavior. The suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, claims Rhymes subjected the plaintiff, Dashiel Gables, to a hostile work environment and ultimately terminated his employment through physical assault.
Rhymes Denies Allegations, Claims “Shake-Down”
Rhymes vehemently denies the accusations, characterizing the lawsuit as an “attempted shake-down” by a “disgruntled former assistant.” In a statement provided to The Times, Rhymes asserted, “I have been made aware of the claims made by Dashiel Gables, and I completely and categorically deny these allegations.” He stated that Gables’ employment was brief and unsuccessful, and that the lawsuit is a retaliatory attempt to damage his reputation. Rhymes added that he is preparing a countersuit, confident it will “expose this for what it is.”
Details of the Lawsuit: A Pattern of Alleged Abuse
The lawsuit, reviewed by The Times, paints a disturbing picture of Gables’ time working for Rhymes. Gables alleges he was repeatedly subjected to a slur related to his sexuality and was mocked for his hearing impairment, with Rhymes allegedly telling him to “get a hearing aid.” Beyond the alleged verbal abuse, the suit details significant wage and hour violations.
Gables claims he was misclassified as a salaried employee and denied overtime pay despite routinely working 15- to 18-hour shifts for a flat daily rate of $200. He was allegedly required to perform “menial tasks,” including fetching cigars for the rapper. The complaint further alleges that Gables accompanied Rhymes on tour from early July to early September of last year, working seven days a week without compensation for travel time or overtime. Following the tour, he continued to work from 2 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. daily without additional pay beyond his daily rate from Sept. 3, 2024, until Jan. 10.
Alleged Assault and Aftermath
The lawsuit culminates in a shocking allegation of physical assault. Gables claims that on Jan. 10, Rhymes “constructively terminated” his employment by repeatedly punching him in the face. This alleged assault followed an outburst from Rhymes over a delayed delivery of chicken and a reprimand for Gables texting his minor daughter during work hours.
According to the complaint, Gables “tolerated a great deal of abuse” but could not endure the physical attack. He sought medical treatment for bruising and swelling and filed a police report. Following the police report, Gables alleges he was “frozen out of the hip-hop music industry.” He is now seeking back pay, compensatory damages, and punitive damages, and has requested a jury trial.
