A$AP Rocky is facing another lawsuit over the alleged 2021 shooting of Terell Ephron, also knowns as A$AP Relli.
According to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone, the former A$AP Mob member hired Johnny Depp’s former attorney Camille Vasquez and is suing the “RIOT” hitmaker and his defense lawyer for defamation.
Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, pleaded not guilty in August 2022 to two counts of using a semiautomatic firearm during an altercation where he allegedly shot and injured his longtime friend in Los Angeles, California in November 2021.
Rocky’s attorney Joe Tacopina, who has represented former President Trump in his lawsuits with Stormy Daniels and E. Jean Carroll, painted Relli as a jealous and bitter former friend. In statements to various media outlets, including Rolling Stone last year, Tacopina said that was trying to extort Mayers and “trying to get money from Rocky.”
Those remarks were detailed in the lawsuit against the 34-year-old rapper and Tacopina. Relli claimed he “suffered damage to his reputation and his personal brand; goodwill in the community as a member of A$AP Mob” and potentially lost future income “as a result of the negative publicity.” He is seeking punitive or exemplary damages, and legal fees.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Tacopina says he “welcomes this litigation.” “Especially before the resolution of the criminal case. It will expose the fraud committed by their client,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that these lawyers don’t know the facts of this case or the actions of their client, but I will be happy to educate them.”