Busta Rhymes has denied claims he physically and verbally assaulted his former assistant.
In January, the rapper-actor - real name Trevor Smith Jr. - was arrested and charged with assault in Brooklyn, New York after he allegedly punched his then-employee Dashiel Gables in the face. The assault case is still pending.
However, Gables filed a federal lawsuit against Smith this week in which he accused him of physical assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and wage violations, among other claims.
Responding to the lawsuit on Thursday, the 53-year-old issued a statement to The Guardian in which he vehemently denied all allegations.
"I have been made aware of the claims made by Dashiel Gables, and I completely and categorically deny these allegations," he told the outlet. "For a very brief period, Dashiel assisted me, but it did not work out. Apparently, Dashiel has decided to respond to being let go by manufacturing claims against me in an attempt to attack and damage my reputation."
Smith went on to note that he is planning to file a countersuit against Gables.
"I look forward to proving these allegations false, and am preparing a countersuit, which I am confident will expose this for what it is - an attempted shake-down by a disgruntled former assistant. Ultimately, I am certain the truth will prevail," the Touch It hitmaker added.
In Gables's lawsuit, obtained by Courthouse News, the assistant alleged the rapper abused his staff members by "spitting in their faces, smacking the back of their heads, and grabbing their clothes".
Gables also claimed that Smith assaulted him in January after he answered a phone call from his daughter.
"When Plaintiff explained it was his daughter, Busta Rhymes responded, 'Don't tell me about your f**king kid, what the f**k that gotta do with me?'" the lawsuit reads.
Shortly after the exchange, Gables alleged Smith punched him several times and "constructively terminated Plaintiff's employment".
Most recently, the hip-hop legend made a brief appearance in The Naked Gun reboot. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this month.
