Comedian Kevin Hart is embroiled in a legal battle with his former friend Jonathan “JT” Jackson, who has filed a staggering $12 million lawsuit against him.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Jackson accuses Hart of breaching a written contract, committing fraud, and intentionally causing emotional distress.
Jackson, who claims a notable career in the entertainment industry, alleges that his reputation suffered significant harm due to actions orchestrated by Hart and his associates.
The lawsuit details a series of events stemming from a highly publicized sex tape scandal involving Hart and Montia Sabbag in August 2017.
Jackson asserts that he was wrongly implicated in false extortion accusations related to the scandal, leading to his wrongful arrest and subsequent damage to his personal and professional life.
In the court filing, Jackson clarifies that while Hart did not personally accuse him, the actor’s actions contributed to the initiation of false claims against him.
Allegedly, Hart and his team reported extortion attempts to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which ultimately led to legal repercussions for Jackson.
Moreover, Jackson claims that Hart exacerbated the situation by featuring the allegations in a 2019 stand-up special, viewed by millions, which further tarnished his reputation in the entertainment industry.
The lawsuit contends that Hart failed to fulfill a settlement agreement reached in July 2021, which required him to advocate for the dismissal of criminal charges against Jackson and issue a public statement exonerating him.
“The last three years of my life have definitely seen its share of ups and downs,” the statement intended for Hart to read as part of the settlement agreement read. “I’m proud to say that all charges against JT Jackson have been dropped and he is not guilty and had nothing to do with it and this matter at hand that once was so tough to deal with and so heavy for me and my household is now put to bed.”
Jackson alleges that Hart’s failure to comply with the settlement terms has caused irreparable harm, necessitating the $12 million in damages sought in the lawsuit.
In response to inquiries from In Touch, Kevin Hart has not issued a comment regarding the lawsuit at this time.
The legal proceedings are ongoing, with both parties expected to present their respective cases in court in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
