50 Cent scored a legal win in Connecticut after a bankruptcy judge approved his motion to seal court documents containing abuse allegations tied to a $20 million lawsuit, citing the potential for economic and reputational damage.
The ruling, issued under Section 107(b)(2) of the bankruptcy code, allows courts to restrict access to records containing “scandalous or defamatory matter,” Bloomberg Law reports.
The judge agreed that the materials in question could harm the rapper if made public.
The allegations stem from a civil lawsuit filed in New York state court by a woman named Rodriguez, who accused 50 Cent of abuse.
However, the rapper’s legal team argued that the claims were already discharged as part of his 2017 bankruptcy reorganization plan, which wiped out all pre-bankruptcy debts.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, 50 Cent’s attorneys said the plaintiff was aware of the discharge but continued to pursue legal action. In response, 50 Cent requested that the court reopen the bankruptcy case to enforce the discharge order and prevent the lawsuit from proceeding.
He also requested sanctions against Rodriguez for allegedly violating the discharge and asked that all sensitive filings be submitted under seal.
The judge agreed, stating the documents would remain sealed “due to their potential to cause economic and/or reputational harm to the Debtor.”
50 Cent’s legal team emphasized the financial toll the ongoing litigation has taken, noting he has already spent a “significant” amount defending himself and urged the court to act swiftly to prevent further loss.
The court initially discharged Rodriguez’s claim in 2017 when it approved 50 Cent’s bankruptcy reorganization plan.