A$AP Rocky’s lawyer denied attempt to dismiss A$AP Relli defamation lawsuit
A$AP Rocky‘s attorney tried to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by A$AP Relli, the man who claimed he shot him in 2021. However, his motion has been rejected.
The Harlem rapper’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, filed an anti-SLAPP motion in attempt to quickly dismiss the lawsuit. He claimed his statements to the media, in which he called Relli a liar and “gold digger,” were protected by litigation privilege.
But according to Courthouse News, Superior Court Judge Randolph Hammock found that litigation privilege doesn’t extend to interview outlets.
Tacopina called out Relli in various interviews, saying his lawsuit was “an extortion attempt by a former associate” and that “Relli has made up the story in a get-rich-quick scheme.”
He also said that “A$AP Rocky is the victim of a failed shakedown and fabricated shooting accusation orchestrated by his jealous former friend A$AP Relli.”
Rocky was acquitted of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in February. “This whole experience has been crazy for the past four years,” he said. “I’m thankful, and it’s blessed to be here right now, to be a free man talking to y’all.”
Despite being found not guilty, Relli filed an assault and battery lawsuit against him, with the trial set to begin on January 12th, 2026.
In September, the judge encouraged Relli to drop his lawsuit over legal fees. “I would urge you to contact the other side and see if a deal can be made,” Judge Randolph M Hammock said.
He added, “Maybe in exchange for dismissing the lawsuit, they’ll drop their claim for fees … Maybe it’s time to cut your losses. I’m not talking chump change here. It would be tens of thousands, easily.”