George Floyd’s family file $250 million lawsuit against Kanye West
The mother of George Floyd's daughter has launched a $250 million lawsuit against rapper Kanye West.
Earlier this month, Donda creator West - also known as Ye - appeared on the Drink Champs podcast and revealed he didn't think George Floyd died as a result of police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck, but because of drugs.
In response to West's comments, Floyd’s family lawyer, civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, took to Twitter to reveal the family was considering launching a lawsuit against the controversial artist.
A cease-and-desist letter has since been sent to West.
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In the since-removed podcast episode, West told hosts: "I watched the George Floyd documentary that Candace Owens put out. One of the things that his two roommates said was they want a tall guy like me, and the day that he died, he said a prayer for eight minutes.
"They hit him with the fentanyl. If you look, the guy’s knee wasn’t even on his neck like that."
West made the comments despite how Hennepin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker ruled the fentanyl found in Floyd's system and the 46-year-old's heart disease were contributing factors to his death but not direct causes.
Chauvin was also sentenced to prison for Floyd's murder in June 2021.
Floyd's family's lawyer, Lee Merritt, swiftly took to Twitter to call out the rapper for spreading his controversial views so publicly.
The post reads: "While one cannot defame the dead, the family of #GeorgeFloyd is considering suit for Kanye’s false statements about the manner of his death.
"Claiming Floyd died from fentanyl not the brutality established criminally and civilly undermines & diminishes the Floyd family’s fight."
The press release for the lawsuit has been posted by Witherspoon Law Group and Dixon and Dixon Attorneys - both listed as representing George Floyd's daughter, of whom her mother, Roxie Washington is acting 'on behalf' of the minor.
The lawsuit is against 'Ye West, also known as Kanye West, his business partners, and associates, for harassment misappropriation, defamation, and infliction of emotional distress seeking $250 million dollars in damages'.
The lawsuit accuses West of having made 'blatantly false statements about George Floyd’s death to promote his brands, and increase marketing value and revenue for himself, his business partners, and associates'.
The filing also brands West's comments as 'malicious falsehoods' said to 'profit from Mr Floyd's horrendous death and his family's trauma'.
Partner at The Witherspoon Law Group, attorney Nuru Witherspoon, stated: "The interests of the child are priority. George Floyd’s daughter is being traumatized by Kanye West’s comments and he’s creating an unsafe and unhealthy environment for her."
UNILAD has contacted Lee Merritt and Kanye West's representatives for comment.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Topics: George Floyd, Money, US News, World News, Kanye West
Poppy Bilderbeck