Damon Dash hit with $4 million judgment in defamation lawsuit from filmmaker Josh Webber
Damon Dash, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, has been ordered to pay $4 million in a defamation lawsuit filed by filmmaker Josh Webber.
As per TMZ, the hefty judgment comes after Dash failed to comply with court orders, skipping mandatory mediation sessions and not submitting required pre-trial documents. These violations led to the California judge's decision, which found Dash at fault for the damage caused to Webber's reputation.
The legal dispute stems from Dash's comments on the 'Earn Your Leisure' podcast in March 2024, where he accused Webber of theft and insulted him with derogatory remarks. Dash alleged that Webber and attorney Chris Brown 'trigger me and steal my s###,' which Webber claims caused him to lose a lucrative $4 million movie deal. Webber was set to direct and produce a film starring Billy Bob Thornton, but Dash's inflammatory remarks, which gained widespread attention, reportedly torched the opportunity.
The legal drama is rooted in a previous legal battle between Dash and Webber over the film Dear Frank, which had a damaging outcome for Dash. He was ordered to pay Webber and other producers over $800,000 in a separate case. Webber argued that Dash's comments, which garnered significant online attention, led to a significant loss of reputation and business opportunities.
Dash, known for his outspoken nature, suggested in his podcast appearance that his freedom of speech was being unfairly targeted. Despite his claims, the court ruled against him, and Webber's legal team has requested that Dash's engagement ring be auctioned off to help satisfy the judgment.
The $4 million judgment adds to Dash's growing list of financial and legal troubles, leaving him with the daunting task of settling the amount or risking further personal losses.
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