A federal judge in Florida has ordered Tory Lanez to cover Megan Thee Stallion’s legal fees following what court documents describe as a “disastrous” and “disruptive” deposition conducted from prison earlier this year.
The April 9 virtual deposition, part of Megan Thee Stallion’s defamation lawsuit against blogger Milagro Gramz, descended into chaos when Lanez, appearing via Zoom from his prison cell, allegedly mocked the plaintiff’s attorney, repeatedly interrupted questioning, and refused to provide straightforward answers to basic inquiries. The convicted rapper’s conduct was so egregious that it prompted immediate sanctions from the presiding judge.
Court documents reveal that Lanez missed a crucial April 30 deadline to explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt, further compounding his legal troubles. The judge’s response was swift and comprehensive: not only must Lanez pay the attorney fees incurred during that session, but a magistrate judge will now supervise any future depositions to ensure appropriate conduct.
The sanctions represent another layer of complexity in what has become a sprawling legal battle stemming from the 2020 shooting incident that left Megan Thee Stallion injured and ultimately resulted in Lanez’s conviction. The current deposition was part of Megan’s $10 million defamation lawsuit against YouTuber Milagro Gramz, who allegedly spread false claims about her mental health and substance use, reportedly in coordination with Lanez and his father.
Megan’s legal team is now pushing for even stricter oversight, seeking the appointment of a special master—also at Lanez’s expense—to supervise any upcoming testimonies. This request underscores the extent to which the court views Lanez’s behavior as problematic and likely to continue without proper supervision.
The defamation case itself centers on allegations that Gramz, a vocal Lanez supporter, disseminated damaging and false information about Megan’s personal life, mental health, and alleged drug use. Megan’s attorneys argue that this campaign was coordinated with Lanez and his associates as part of an ongoing effort to discredit her testimony in the criminal case that led to his conviction.
Gramz has already faced her sanctions in the case, having been ordered to pay legal fees after delays in submitting her social media records during a court-mandated forensic investigation. She was previously fined $5,000 for delaying access to her social media accounts.
The latest ruling adds to Lanez’s mounting legal and financial burdens as he serves his sentence for the 2020 shooting. The Canadian rapper, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, continues to face legal challenges even from behind bars, with this latest development highlighting how his conduct during court proceedings has created additional consequences.
For Megan Thee Stallion, whose legal name is Megan Pete, the court’s decision represents another step forward in her efforts to hold accountable those she alleges have participated in a campaign to damage her reputation and credibility. In January, she was granted a five-year restraining order against Lanez after testifying that he has continued to “terrorize” her from behind bars.
The case continues to unfold in federal court, with the heightened oversight measures serving as a clear indication of the court’s intent to maintain order and prevent further disruptions to the legal process. The appointment of supervisory personnel at Lanez’s expense sends a strong message about the consequences of attempting to manipulate or disrupt court proceedings, even from prison.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Tory Lanez’s disruptive behavior during a prison deposition has backfired spectacularly—he must now pay Megan Thee Stallion’s legal fees and will face strict court supervision for any future testimony.
This stems from his chaotic April 9 virtual deposition, where he mocked lawyers and refused to answer questions in Megan’s defamation case against blogger Milagro Gramz.
Even from behind bars, Lanez’s attempts to obstruct legal proceedings are only adding to his financial burden and legal troubles, while strengthening Megan’s position in her broader fight against what she alleges is a coordinated campaign to damage her reputation following the 2020 shooting case that led to his conviction.
