Fat Joe’s defamation lawsuit has taken another unexpected turn after attorney Tyrone Blackburn asked a federal judge to step away from his role representing Terrance Dixon in the ongoing case. Blackburn submitted a motion on July 7 seeking permission to withdraw as Dixon’s counsel, pointing to what he called a “non-waivable conflict of interest that has arisen.” He also cited “considerations of the personal safety and well-being of undersigned counsel” as another reason behind his request.
The move does not remove Blackburn from the broader legal dispute. While he wants to end his representation of Dixon, Blackburn and his law firm remain named defendants in the lawsuit involving Fat Joe, whose legal name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena. The attorney has said he and his firm plan to continue defending themselves as the case moves forward.
Blackburn’s request comes after a series of legal setbacks that have placed additional attention on his role in the proceedings. In June, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis sanctioned Blackburn over remarks made during a February deposition involving Dixon, describing his “homophobic, transphobic, and sexualized comments” toward opposing counsel as conduct that “shock[ed] the conscience.” Willis also rejected Blackburn’s argument that medication contributed to his actions, writing, “The medical record does not support Blackburn’s assertion that his unconscionable behavior at the February 24th deposition was due to medication he was taking.”
Blackburn’s Legal Troubles Intensify Amid Court Disputes
Fat Joe’s legal team has also raised concerns about Blackburn’s recent court filings. Last week, the rapper’s attorneys accused Blackburn of relying on AI-generated citations in a legal document and argued that the references were inaccurate and misleading. “It is time, once and for all, for Blackburn to be sanctioned for his flagrant disregard of his duties and responsibilities to the court in fabricating and intentionally misconstruing legal authority,” they wrote in a court filing.
The dispute began in April 2025, when Fat Joe filed a defamation lawsuit against Dixon and Blackburn over statements he says harmed his reputation. Dixon later filed a $20 million countersuit containing allegations that Fat Joe has denied. Blackburn’s attempt to leave Dixon’s legal team adds another complication to a case that has continued to expand in scope and controversy.
Leave a Reply