A California superior court judge entered a default judgment awarding nearly $38,100 to plaintiff Lashala Irby in her civil assault suit against entertainer Chrisean Rock, concluding that the evidence did not support the full $250,000 in damages she sought.
The decision followed a default prove-up hearing in Burbank Superior Court after Chrisean Rock, whose legal name is Chrisean Eugenia Malone, did not appear or otherwise participate in the litigation. Judge Frank M. Tavelman heard Irby’s testimony before issuing a written ruling granting substantially less than the requested award.
Irby alleged she suffered significant physical injuries and emotional distress during an encounter with Rock at a Jan. 22, 2023, premiere event in North Hollywood. Although the plaintiff sought approximately $250,000 in damages, the court determined the evidence supported a far smaller recovery.
In his ruling, Tavelman found Irby failed to substantiate the level of general damages requested.
“Here, plaintiff did not provide sufficient evidence to support an award of more than $230,000 in general damages,” the judge wrote. “Her testimony regarding embarrassment and helplessness was brief and lacked detail concerning the severity or ongoing impact of these feelings.”
Judge Rules $40K Default Judgement To Lashala Irby After Chrisean Rock No-Showed
The court nevertheless concluded that the continued circulation of video depicting the alleged altercation supported an award for emotional distress. According to the ruling, the video’s ongoing dissemination provided “a reasonable basis for an award of general damages.”
In a sworn declaration, Irby said the alleged assault caused lasting emotional harm because footage of the incident remains publicly accessible.
“I was violently assaulted by a well-known celebrity and that assault was captured on video that continues to circulate across the internet to this day,” Irby stated. She added that “the ongoing public exposure of the alleged assault has magnified my suffering in a way that words can hardly capture.”
Irby further alleged the encounter began cordially before Rock allegedly attacked her “suddenly and without warning.”
Court filings also noted that Rock did not contest the allegations. Irby argued the defendant “has refused to appear in this case, leaving her conduct unchallenged.”
Before obtaining the default judgment, Irby reached a tentative $35,000 settlement with Zeus Networks LLC and MGP XI-GPI Laurel Plaza LLC, resolving her claims against those parties. The judgment issued by Burbank Superior Court applies solely to the claims against Rock.
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