Paul Catsandonis, lawyer for 50 Cent ex Shaniqua Tompkins, has disclosed that his client is suing the rapper for $50 million dollars in damages resulting from a fire than destroyed the home she was living in.
In May, a suspicious fire destroyed 50’s Long Island property, which the Queens mogul had successfully obtained eviction on for Tompkins.
In the fallout, Tompkins accused 50 of setting the fire himself to avoid having to honor an agreement made between them. She has since filed a restraining order.
“There wasn’t a written contract but an expressed oral agreement, which is recognized in the New York courts,” Catsandonis told The Hudson Reporter. “They decided years ago that she was going to be the domestic partner, and she was going to provide the domestic services while he devoted all his time to becoming a Hip-Hop artist. Whatever profits he was able to achieve would be divided equally, and he had promised her and their son that they could live in the house. He breached that contract.”
In upcoming court proceedings, Catsandonis will argue that the relationship between 50 and Tompkins could be viewed as a common-law marriage.
He plans to set a precedent case in New York for future parties who have legal disputes in these arrangements.
“We are moving into the modern era where people are not getting married anymore but are common law husband and wife,” he explains. Last month, a judge ordered 50 to not sell the fire-destroyed home and barred him from collecting the insurance proceeds until an arson investigation is completed.
Following Tompkins’ $50 million dollar lawsuit, the restraining order, and refusal to let the rapper see his 10 year old son, 50 countered with a $20 million dollar defamation and family court suit.
The NY State Supreme Court will hear arguments on July 15 regarding the insurance proceeds on the destroyed home.
Suffolk County Family Court commences proceedings on July 17 to hear arguments for 50’s visitation rights.