Rapper and actor T.I. and wife Tiny Harris have been accused of sexual abuse and drugging multiple women for more than a decade. The allegations came during a virtual news conference that occurred today. Now, the couple has responded to the allegations through their legal representation.
Six women have anonymously accused T.I., Tiny Harris and their associates of abuse that has allegedly taken place over the last 16 years. The allegations, which were sent to both California and Georgia attorney generals by attorney Tyrone A. Blackburn, allege that there were instances of rape, drugging and kidnapping. Per Blackburn, the women detailed “eerily similar [allegations] of sexual abuse, forced ingestion of illegal narcotics, kidnapping, terroristic threats and false imprisonment.”
Since the allegations became public T.I. and Tiny Harris’ legal counsel, Steve Sadow, has denied the claims in a statement to Variety. Sadow referred to the claims as “unsubstantiated and baseless” and expressed his hope that they will be “fairly and thoroughly investigated”:
Clifford (T.I.) and Tameka Harris deny in the strongest possible terms these unsubstantiated and baseless allegations. We are confident that if these claims are thoroughly and fairly investigated, no charges will be forthcoming. These allegations are nothing more than the continuation of a sordid shakedown campaign that began on social media. The Harrises implore everyone not to be to be taken in by these obvious attempts to manipulate the press and misuse the justice system.
During the press conference, Tyrone Blackburn also alleged that Steve Sadow reached out to him to broker a deal on behalf of T.I. and his wife. Sadow shot down the claim:
I understand that at a virtual press conference today, attorney Blackburn claimed the Harrises reached out to him through me to supposedly make a deal. That is patently false. I reached out to see if he would share any information since his name was posted on Instagram as the attorney for Sabrina Peterson. Blackburn repeatedly refused to provide the names of his accuser-clients or any corroborating or supporting evidence of his groundless claims. The Harrises repeat that they are confident if a thorough and fair investigation is conducted, no charges will be brought.
While none of the women spoke directly to Variety, some did speak to The New York Times, and Blackburn also shared some of the graphic accusations. One woman alleges that while she was 17 and interning at the couple’s studio in Atlanta in the summer of 2006, she was given a drink and an unidentified pills by Tiny Harris. She alleges that she was then told to undress before passing out. She then says she woke up naked and was bleeding from her vagina. The woman goes on to claim that an employee of the couple then drove her to a pharmacy to get an emergency contraceptive and threatened her not to say anything about the situation or bad things would happen to her family.
Earlier this year, T.I. and Tiny Harris denied allegations from Sabrina Peterson, who accused him of holding a gun to her head. During the virtual press conference, Tyrone Blackburn asserted that Peterson “opened the door” for other women to share their experiences.
We here at CinemaBlend will keep you updated on the situation as it continues to develop.
