Murder Inc. Records co-founder Irv Gotti is being sued for sexual assault and rape by a woman who alleges a tumultuous relationship with the music mogul from 2020 to 2022. The lawsuit, filed on July 11 in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court by attorney Adriana Alcalde, accuses Gotti—real name Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr.—of multiple instances of rape and coercion.
The anonymous Jane Doe plaintiff claims she met Gotti at a poker tournament in the summer of 2020. According to the lawsuit, Gotti flew her to Saint Martin for a vacation soon after their initial meeting, where he allegedly coerced her into having sex, threatening to send her home if she refused. This marked the beginning of what she describes as a sexually abusive relationship.
The woman details multiple alleged assaults, including an incident in January 2022 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami where she claims Gotti forced her to perform oral sex in an elevator. She also recounts a similar incident in the summer of 2022 during an Uber ride in Atlanta. The relationship ended after this latter trip.
“As a result of this sexually abusive relationship, Plaintiff has suffered severe emotional and psychological harm for which she had to be committed to a psychiatric ward,” the lawsuit states. “These injuries continue and affect Plaintiff to this day.”
Additionally, the woman accuses Gotti of slandering her, damaging her reputation in Los Angeles. She seeks compensatory damages and coverage of legal expenses.
Billboard has reached out to Gotti’s representatives for comment on the allegations.
Gotti, who co-founded Murder Inc. Records under Def Jam in the late ’90s, is known for his work with artists such as DMX, Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Jennifer Lopez. In 2022, he sold a 50% ownership stake in Murder Inc.’s past music recordings to Iconoclast for $100 million, while retaining ownership of the company.