Latest news with #Tacopina
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
NYC-bred star defense attorney Joe Tacopina turns down Diddy
Star defense attorney Joe Tacopina has represented a US president, a baseball legend and an iconic pop star — but he turned down Sean 'Diddy' Combs when the rapper came calling. The Brooklyn-born legal eagle, fresh off getting A$AP Rocky acquitted on gun charges, informed Combs last month that the timing of the blockbuster case didn't work for him. 'I think he has a defensible case,' Tacopina told The Post. Advertisement 8 Joe Tacopina is a Manhattan-based defense attorney who charges high-powered clients $2,000 an hour for his services. REUTERS He also dismissed speculation that his decision was influenced by his close ties to Jay-Z and Roc Nation, calling such rumors 'misconstrued.' Jury selection in Combs' federal sex trafficking trial continued on Tuesday in Manhattan, with opening arguments scheduled to begin Monday. Advertisement Combs is alleged to have used his wealth and influence to recruit, exploit, and abuse women, often coercing them into sexual acts through threats, manipulation, or force between 2004 and 2024. He has pleaded not guilty and hired a high-powered legal team that includes Marc Agnifilo, Teny Geragos, Brian Steel, Alexandra Shapiro, Xavier Donaldson, Jason Driscoll, Anna Estevao and reportedly Mark Geragos. When asked about the merits of the government's case against Diddy, Tacopina sounded skeptical. 'The entire case, I tell you, rises and falls on consent. It's really that simple,' Tacopina said. Advertisement 8 Tacopina told The Post that he turned down a request by Sean 'Diddy' Combs to represent him at his federal sex trafficking trial. REUTERS 'I believe the defense has ample evidence of consent, including rare communications that contradict the allegations. That's my view.' According to Tacopina, federal prosecutors are using the RICO statute, which was originally created to bring down organized crime figures, in order to indict Diddy 'for having parties.' Tacopina said that the charges were brought against Diddy so that federal prosecutors could 'get their names in the paper' given that the rapper is a 'big target.' Advertisement 'I do think he's getting a raw deal,' Tacopina added. 8 Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of leading a 20-year racketeering conspiracy involving sex trafficking, while opening statements are scheduled for March 12. REUTERS It's no wonder that Diddy sought Tacopina's services. The Brooklyn native is fresh off of one of his biggest triumphs — the acquittal of A$AP Rocky, who faced more than 20 years in prison on weapons charges. Tacopina still remembers the surreal moment Rihanna embraced him in the middle of a Los Angeles courtroom just after her partner and the father of their child was found not guilty. As she wept tears of relief, she wrapped her arms around Tacopina, buried her face into his designer suit, and whispered, 'You saved my family.' It was an emotional climax to a hard-fought legal battle, but for Tacopina — who takes pride in his meticulously tailored Italian suits—there was one drawback. 'She's crying on my lapel,' he recalled with a chuckle. 'When she pulled back, I saw the entire Fenty color palette on my jacket.' 8 Tacopina embraces his client A$AP Rocky after his acquittal on felony assault charges in a Los Angeles courtroom on Feb. 18. Getty Images Advertisement Jokingly, he told her she owed him a new suit. 'Joe, I'll get you 10,' she replied. Tacopina told The Post that he may hang the the tear-stained lapel in his office as a memento. It's just another chapter in the career of the Brownsville native who has built a reputation as one of the nation's most fearless and in-demand defense attorneys. Advertisement Known for his fiery courtroom presence and unapologetic style, Tacopina commands as much as $2,000 an hour—and his client list reads like a celebrity power index. 8 Tacopina's roster of clients also includes President Trump — pictured her in a Manhattan court on April 4, 2023. Getty Images Over the years, he's represented everyone from Michael Jackson and Meek Mill to Alex Rodriguez and the Washington Commanders. Tacopina's name drew headlines again when he successfully defended former President Donald Trump in a civil lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll. Advertisement In a rare courtroom win for Trump, Tacopina convinced the jury that his client was not liable for rape, a significant legal and political moment. 8 Tacopina with A$AP Rocky and Rihanna. Joe Tacopina A federal jury, however, did find Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, awarding her over $88 million in total damages across two trials. Tacopina announced that he is currently representing rapper Fat Joe in a high-profile defamation and extortion case. He also recently joined the legal team of former TV host Wendy Williams as she fights to regain control over her life from a court-appointed guardian. Advertisement His path to the courtroom wasn't a straight one. 8 Tacopina is the president and owner of the Italian soccer club S.P.A.L. He acquired the club in August 2021 and has been leading its operations since then. 8 Tacopina poses alongside UFC champion Conor McGregor. Joe Tacopina Tacopina initially set his sights on a career in professional hockey, playing briefly in the New York Islanders' farm system. But a debate class at Skidmore College changed everything. A professor noted his gift for argument and urged him to consider law school. Inspired, Tacopina read 'Fatal Vision,' a true crime book that confirmed his calling. 'It was the most fascinating thing ever,' he said. 'This is what I want to do.' Now with over 120 trials under his belt, Tacopina credits his toughness and confidence to growing up in a tough Brooklyn neighborhood. 'I truly do not possess a fear gene,' he said. A tattoo on his forearm reads: 'I'm from the 'ville… Never ran, never will.' For Tacopina, each case is more than a job—it's a battle. And whether he's facing a federal jury or wiping makeup from a courtroom suit, he shows no signs of slowing down.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
A$AP Rocky blasted after fans spot chilling detail in his Met Gala outfit after beating gun case
A$AP Rocky taken to task by a number of social media users Monday after he had a revolver handle on his umbrella at the Met Gala. The ensemble came less than three months after the entertainer prevailed in court earlier this year in his Los Angeles felony gun assault trial. 'A revolver handle umbrella after beating a gun case is diabolical,' said one user of the rap artist, who was a co-chair form Monday's event. The musical artist, who has two kids with Rihanna, didn't shy away from controversy at the high-profile event, for which this year's theme was Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. One user referred to the 2011 Rihanna track Man Down in relation to her beau, writing, What Rihanna say? Just shot a man down! Rihanna 's reasoning for attending boyfriend A$AP Rocky 's felony gun assault trial - amid resistance from both her beau and prosecutors in the case - was revealed exclusively to following the conclusion of the trial February 20. A$AP Rocky, 36, wanted to shield the Umbrella singer, 37, from the stress of the tense legal proceedings, the rapper's lawyer Joe Tacopina told at the time. The attorney opened up about the case outside of the courthouse in Los Angeles after securing an acquittal for the rapper on pair of counts of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Tacopina told reporters outside of the courthouse after the conclusion of the criminal case that the F*****' Problems artist 'didn't want' Rihanna on hand for the trial, as he 'was very protective of her.' Tacopina said: 'He didn't want her there ... I was sort of supporting his decision to keep her away - the trial is not about Rihanna.' But Rihanna was insistent on being present and showing her support for her partner during the critical time, Tacopina said. 'She called me one day and she said, "You know, Joe, wild horses aren't gonna keep me away,"' Tacopina said the Barbados-born beauty told him, paraphrasing the 1971 Rolling Stones classic. Tacopina expounded to exclusively Thursday on the incredible backing Rihanna provided for A$AP Rocky, the father of her two children - RZA, two, and Riot Rose, one. Rihanna brought with her a 'sense of calm that was obvious' when she attended the legal proceedings in Los Angeles, Tacopina said, adding that ' as far as support, she was a rock for Rocky.' Rihanna 'obviously is enormously devoted and protective of her beautiful family, which included Rocky,' Tacopina said. The nine-time Grammy winner let out an audible sigh of relief after the verdicts were read, as A$AP Rocky faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted. 'After the verdict, her emotions came to the forefront, crying, hugging Rocky, hugging me, hugging Rocky's family,' Tacopina said. 'With me, she could not have been more appreciative of the work we were doing and was always gracious.' Los Angeles prosecutors directed the jury to ignore Rihanna's larger than life presence amid the trial, as there were concerns during jury selection the superstar singer's presence could lean jurors toward a not guilty verdict. Deputy District Attorney John Lewin told jurors in closing arguments that he believed that the SOS songstress brought their children to the legal proceedings, on occasion, to influence jurors. ASAP Rocky didn't want Rihanna showing up to his court date, so Rihanna went behind Rocky's back, called his lawyer, and said, "Wild horses aren't going to keep me away." 😭❤️ — ۟ (@headnavy) February 19, 2025 The Take A Bow songstress hugged the rapper after the verdict was announced Tuesday 'You are not allowed to consider how this might affect Rihanna and his kids,' Lewin told jurors. 'We are all responsible for our own actions in the world.' Rihanna remains down to earth amid her massive success in entertainment and fashion, Tacopina told Thursday, as she 'treats everyone with respect and makes everyone feel good and important' around her.' Tacopina, who has past represented high-profile clients such as President Donald J. Trump, baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez and the late Michael Jackson, said that among the stars, Rihanna shines bright like a diamond. 'I have gotten to know Rihanna over the last three years and I have to tell you she is one of the nicest, most genuine, most real, superstars ever,' Tacopina told Rihanna showed herself to be 'a very special person' throughout the arduous legal process, Tacopina said. Rihanna was insistent on being present and showing her support for her partner during the critical time, Tacopina said. Tacopina said Rihanna told him to let A$AP Rocky know she was 'coming and [to] deal with it,' adding, 'I'm like, "OK."' Tacopina chat with the media in Los Angeles outside of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, where both Rihanna and A$AP Rocky celebrated after the not guilty verdicts were announced. On Tuesday, the jury reached a unanimous decision on A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, after deliberating for about three hours following the conclusion of closing arguments in the case last week. The Harlem, New York-born entertainer, before going into the trial, had declined an offer from prosecutors of a six-month jail sentence and probation. Under that offer, A$AP Rocky would have had to plead guilty to one count in the case, the AP reported. A$AP Rocky celebrated the verdict with the S&M singer and his legal team, led by Tacopina, in the courtroom and after they left the building. Prosecutors in the case said that the entertainer shot twice at his former pal A$AP Relli, who had been associated with A$AP Rocky dating back to high school as part of the musical ensemble A$AP Mob. A$AP Relli testified in the case that he was unharmed in the shooting, aside from a bullet grazing his knuckle. A$AP Rocky's legal team said that the shots the rapper fired were actually blanks from a prop gun he obtained from the set of a music video he was working on, the AP reported. The jury was instructed by the court that under the law, A$AP Rocky could not be found guilty, if they found him to be defending himself in the incident. The Barbados-born superstar songstress and fashion mogul had drawn attention during her outings to the court to support her boyfriend. In multiple outings, Rihanna was seated between A$AP Rocky's mother Renee Black and sister Erika B. Mayers. The We Found Love artist had brought their young children to the court for closing arguments in the felony case. The fashion mogul, who founded the company Fenty Beauty, was mentioned multiple times as attorneys conducted jury selection, amid speculation how her larger-than-life presence could sway jurors. Following the verdict, jurors were led out of the courtroom and didn't talk to the media as they departed, the AP reported. Tacopina in a post-verdict statement said jurors 'saw through this mirage of a case' in their swift verdict. The attorney noted that the rapper 'turned down a plea for almost no jail time because he was innocent.' A$AP Rocky on Tuesday had been more than a half-hour late in arriving for the verdict reading - and 'looked shaken and tense as he waited for it,' the AP reported. Tacopina said that 'there was a moment when before we heard the words from the clerk, he didn´t know if he was going to be spending the next two decades in jail or going home.' Tacopina said A$AP Rocky's physical reaction to the verdict - leaping in celebration after hearing he was legally cleared - was 'insane' in a wonderful way. 'I didn´t know how athletic he was,' Tacopina said. 'That was raw emotion, you guys got to see that. Even for us it was insane.' District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman's office released a statement on Instagram after A$AP Rocky was cleared in the case. 'While today's verdict is not the outcome we sought, we respect the jury's decision and the integrity of our justice system,' Hochman said. He added, 'Our office remains committed to seeking accountability for those who break the law, no matter their status or influence. Hochman said that Hollywood celebrities should not expect special treatment if they break the law. 'Fame does not place anyone above the law, and we will not waver in our pursuit of justice for victims and the community,' Hochman said. 'Our mission remains clear: to uphold the law, protect public safety, and ensure justice for all.' A$AP Rocky, whose recent singles include Highjack, Tailor Swif and Ruby Rosary, has a busy slate professionally following the conclusion of the case. Next month, he will be at the Rolling Loud music festival in Los Angeles, as he's one of the principle headliners along with Playboi Carti and Peso Pluma. This May, he's slated to be a celebrity co-chair at the Met Gala, where Rihanna has made for multiple memorable moments in the past. He also appears this summer in the upcoming Spike Lee motion picture Highest 2 Lowest, along with an impressive cast headlined by Denzel Washington and featuring Jeffrey Wright, Dean Winters and Ice Spice.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Diddy set to hire celebrity lawyer Joe Tacopina who defended Donald Trump and got A$AP Rocky off the hook...but there's one hold up
Diddy is considering hiring a famed celebrity attorney on the eve of his trial - but is balking at his massive fees, can reveal. The disgraced hip hop mogul is believed to be in talks with hotshot lawyer Joe Tacopina, whose previous clients include Donald Trump, but charges a staggering $2,400 an hour. Most recently, Tacopina represented A$AP Rocky in the rapper's trial on felony assault charges, and got him acquitted by a jury in February. Diddy, whose trial begins with jury selection on May 5, is mulling over hiring Tacopina but money is an issue. Tacopina's hourly rate is among the highest in New York, where he is based, but he claimed in a recent interview that for that his clients get 'blood' from him. Diddy's personal wealth, once, valued at $1 billion by Fortune magazine, has been downsized to an estimated $300 million. He has put his $61.5 million Los Angeles mansion on sale to cover his legal fees, thought to be in the tens of millions of dollars. The 55-year-old, whose real name is Sean Combs, denies sex trafficking and other charges against him. Diddy is already paying steep legal fees. He recently added Brian Steel to his legal team, an attorney who managed to get rapper Young Thug a plea deal in his recent racketeering case. Instead of serving a 40-year jail sentence, Young Thug was ultimately given 15 years of probation and is now out of jail. Diddy's other lawyers include prominent criminal defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo. Tacopina is a heavy hitter who is known for his sharp sense of fashion as much for his legal acumen: he wears tight fitting, made to measure suits with his initials on them that show off his hulking physique. His previous clients include rapper Meek Mill, New York Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez, and accused killer Joran van der Sloot, who admitted to the murder of American Natalee Holloway in Aruba. As for the A$AP Rocky case, Tacopina managed to beat the case for the rap star, who had rejected a plea deal that would have sent him to jail for six months for admitting a single charge. Tacopina represented Trump in one of the civil cases brought against him by journalist E. Jean Carroll but he lost and a jury awarded her $5million, finding that the President was liable for sexual assault and defamation. In a YouTube interview earlier this month, Tacopina told DJ Vlad that his rate was $2,400 an hour - and defended it because he was worth. When he said the number DJ Vlad was so stunned, he said: 'How much?' Tacopina said: 'I've had people say I can't swing it. the level of demand I'm at now and what I get for that and what I give for it, I give blood. 'That's the number. If someone comes in and I happen to love them and I feel for them, I feel they're being victimized and they can't afford that I will always try and work something out'. Earlier in the interview, Tacopina said that he cost 'a lot - a lot' and not just because of the A$AP Rocky victory. He said: 'When I take a case…it's full immersion. With (A$AP) Rocky's case the whole office relocated to Los Angels, we shut down, everything else is gone. 'I had new clients coming in the door at that time and said I can't do it, sent them away'. Tacopina said he ran a 'boutique' law firm with five lawyers, a paralegal and other people they bring in as needed. He said: 'It's a lot of money, it's a lot of money for a case. Rocky paid, he's like family, he paid a lot of money. 'It's for what they get. If I was in a fight for my life, I'd want me because I know what I give. I don't sleep. There will not be a stone unturned. I have abilities when it comes to juries and cross examination that I don't think there's anyone better. 'I'm not being cocky….I've taken it to a different level. My cross examinations are devastating'. While Tacopina was representing Trump his bare knuckle style irked some in the President's camp who branded him a 'loudmouth'. Sources told Rolling Stone that Tacopina was a 'blunt object Donald Trump wants' but he was an 'idiot'. Tacopina sees it differently and told DJ Vlad that for every hour of cross examination in court he had done 25 hours of preparation. 'I have that sixth sense: you have to have that thing where you smell blood,' he said.
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Wendy Williams blocked from dinner outing with niece and new lawyer amid ongoing guardianship dispute
Wendy Williams was reportedly prevented from joining her niece and newly retained attorney for dinner, despite earlier assurances from her court-appointed guardian that she has the freedom to visit with family, according to TMZ. The planned outing involved Williams, her niece Alex Finnie, and her new lawyer, high-profile attorney Joe Tacopina. The three were set to meet at a New York City restaurant when, according to insiders, Williams' guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, blocked the visit. Williams remains at an assisted living facility and was not allowed to leave the fifth floor, which she has privately referred to as 'a luxury prison.' The decision contradicts a recent letter sent to TMZ by Morrissey's legal team, asserting that Williams is not isolated and is free to see family members at any time. The exact reason behind denying this outing remains unclear. Some close to Williams believe the decision may be tied to her efforts to end the guardianship. Sources say that if a judge does not terminate the arrangement soon, Williams will seek a jury trial with Tacopina as her lead counsel. The veteran attorney, known for his high-profile courtroom wins, recently represented A$AP Rocky in a successful defense. While Wendy was unable to attend, Finnie and Tacopina went ahead with the dinner, reportedly using the time to discuss legal strategy over the meal. Her ongoing guardianship issues were recently spotlighted in the documentary Where Is Wendy Williams?, which delves into her health challenges, financial control, and restricted independence.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joe Tacopina Confirms He Is 'Representing' Wendy Williams In Her Guardianship Case
Seasoned attorney Joe Tacopina has confirmed that he will represent Wendy Williams amid her quest to end her guardianship. The former talk show host and her family have not relented in their battle to discontinue her guardianship, which began in 2022. The latest development adds to recent positives for Williams, who has been living in an assisted living facility in New York. On Wednesday, Tacopina appeared on NewsNation's "Banfield" and shared details about the recent development in Williams' fight to end her guardianship. When asked about the case, he told the show's host Ashleigh Banfield, "I am, yes, I am representing her, I'm a personal attorney right now." Although Tacopina confirmed he will represent Williams, he noted that some things must be ironed out before it becomes official. He said, "I will be entering the guardianship case one way or another, but it's a convoluted process. The judge has to approve guardianship attorneys." Tacopina maintained his usual confidence, saying, "The last thing they want to do is see my face in that courtroom, so, yes, I will be representing her, I am her lawyer right now." Tacopina's revelation will please Williams' fans, given that she wanted him as her attorney ahead of her guardianship trial. In March, Tacopina appeared on the "2 Angry Men" podcast with Harvey Levin and Mark Geragos and revealed Williams reached out to him to represent her. The attorney expressed his rage after watching TMZ's Tubi documentary, "Saving Wendy," and described her situation as "true injustice." Tacopina, who was displeased with how Williams was treated at the New York facility, said murderers had more freedom than she did. Tacopina is a famed lawyer and has represented notable people including Alex Rodriguez, Michael Jackson, and President Donald Trump. He has a track record of success, with his latest legal victory being rapper A$AP Rocky's acquittal in his high-profile criminal case. Hence, his presence in Williams' legal team will boost her confidence ahead of a yet-to-be-scheduled jury trial to decide her guardianship. Last month, the former television personality's healthcare advocate, Ginalisa Monterroso, told PEOPLE Magazine that she is "excited" for a jury to decide her fate. Monterroso explained that Williams wants to prove that she is not mentally incapacitated. She said, "This is something that she's been wanting to say, and she just can't wait to get her story out." The health advocate continued, "And at the end of the day, she's going to have a trial by jury, and it will be the jury who will be making the decision." The positives continue to come for Williams, who was the subject of a welfare check from New York agencies. The visit came after Monterroso called 911 and wrote a letter to Adult Protective Services on March 10. After the welfare check, Williams was led out of the building and taken to a local hospital for evaluation. The 60-year-old revealed she passed the mental capacity evaluation during a phone call appearance on "Good Day New York" on March 11. Williams said, "I passed with flying colors!" Afterward, she asked Monterroso to "elaborate on everything," and the latter added, "She had those tests, she's been deemed she is not incapacitated. I think it's great news, and it's public, and everybody knows factually that Wendy's not incapacitated." When Williams was asked if she was satisfied with the mental evaluation tests, she responded, "Absolutely," before adding, "That is what I want, and that is what I got." Despite passing her mental capacity evaluation, Wendy Williams has to wait for a new cognitive evaluation over which her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, has some level of control. Sources revealed that Williams "has been told she has to be patient, which is hard but she's staying positive." Another insider revealed Williams continues to hang on and is fully committed to regaining total control of her life. A source told In Touch, "The outpouring of support from fans and from her family who are working tirelessly to get her out of that hell hole has given her a real jolt in the arm."
