Busta Rhymes has responded to allegations made by his former personal assistant by counter-suing, claiming that the ex-employee fabricated the accusations of assault in January.
The 53-year-old musician, known as Trevor George Smith Jr., has filed a counterclaim in federal court accusing his former assistant, Dashiel Gables, of defamation after Gables sued him for alleged assault and wrongful termination.
In the legal documents, the Touch It hitmaker stated that the accusations had significantly harmed his public image and professional reputation.
He alleges that the false claims have led to damage to his reputation, goodwill, and standing in the music and advertising sectors, resulting in a loss of advertising campaigns and other business opportunities.
According to court papers obtained by People magazine, Busta is now seeking special damages to be determined at trial. He also asserts that Gables’ actions were willful, wanton, and malicious, justifying punitive damages.
Gables, who worked for the hip-hop star from July 2024 until earlier this year, alleged that his employment was terminated after he reported an assault to the authorities.
However, Busta vehemently denies the allegations, stating in his counterclaim that Gables knowingly made false statements or acted recklessly by fabricating criminal accusations and violence, omitting crucial facts, and disregarding contradictory evidence.
The former assistant, also known as Divine, filed his civil complaint on August 4, demanding a jury trial. He claimed that an altercation in January 2025 escalated when Busta yelled at him to stay off his phone and then allegedly punched him twice in the face.
Gables reported a swollen eye, filed a police report, and was subsequently fired, which he says has hindered his employment prospects in the music industry.
His lawsuit also alleges verbal abuse, wage violations, and discrimination, asserting that Busta routinely degraded and yelled at him, used a homophobic slur, and mocked his hearing issues.
Gables is seeking compensation for lost wages, unpaid overtime, and damages under the Fair Labour Standards Act and New York Labour Law.
This legal battle follows Busta Rhymes’ remarkable physical transformation two years ago. The rapper, who previously weighed 340 pounds, disclosed that he shed around 100 pounds after experiencing a frightening health episode during an intimate moment with his ex-partner.
After turning to unhealthy habits following his father’s death in 2014, Busta decided to prioritize his well-being following the health scare.
“I felt like I was having like an asthma attack — but I don’t have asthma,” he recounted, mentioning that his ex urged him to lose weight for his own health.