Tory Lanez, the 32-year-old rapper whose real name is Daystar Peterson, has filed a legal complaint against Megan Thee Stallion, accusing the Grammy-winning artist of misusing the justice system. This new complaint, which was filed on December 24, 2023, in response to Megan’s request for a temporary restraining order, claims that the Houston-born rapper (whose real name is Megan Pete, 29) is weaponizing the legal system in an attempt to silence him.
In court documents the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County, Lanez argues that Megan is using the Los Angeles County civil court to pursue what he calls a “frivolous” request for a civil harassment restraining order. According to Lanez, he has had no direct contact with Megan, and his actions do not warrant such a request. The documents also state that Megan, through her legal team, is attempting to use her celebrity status and large financial backing to manipulate the justice system in her favor.
Lanez’s complaint highlights the nature of public figures and their relationship with the justice system. It claims that celebrities like Megan, who enjoy immense popularity and financial success, are more likely to turn to the courts to silence opinions and free speech they disagree with. “When a celebrity with millions of dollars and backed by large corporations disagrees with free speech or opinions, they weaponize the justice system,” the complaint reads. It emphasizes that public figures, by voluntarily stepping into the limelight, should be prepared to deal with controversy and public opinion, rather than attempt to suppress it through legal means.
Furthermore, Lanez’s legal team references California Code of Civil Procedure § 527.8, which prohibits courts from issuing restraining orders that infringe upon constitutionally protected speech. This statute, according to Lanez, serves to prevent the legal system from being used as a tool for silencing public commentary or debate. The complaint asserts that Megan has chosen to ignore these legal protections and instead uses the system to “cancel” those who disagree with her.The complaint continues to argue that Megan is trying to avoid engaging in a public debate or defending herself against the opinions expressed by Lanez, and is instead relying on legal action to suppress any opposing views.
“Rather than rebut the commentary or debate the issues raised by Defendant’s comments so people can make up their own minds, Plaintiff has succumbed to the current trend of using the legal system in an attempt to cancel those opinions she disagrees with,” the court documents state.
Megan Thee Stallion’s request for a temporary restraining order, filed earlier in December, alleges that Lanez continues to harass her even while incarcerated. She claims that Lanez, who is serving a 10-year prison sentence following his 2022 conviction for shooting her in the feet, has been communicating with third parties, including blogger Milagro Gramz (real name Milagro Elizabeth Cooper), to bully and harass her. Megan claims that these actions have caused her severe emotional distress and reputational harm.
Megan’s filing also mentions that Lanez’s continued harassment has resulted in what she describes as “psychological warfare,” further victimizing her and attacking her character. She claims that despite his conviction and sentencing, Lanez is still using others to harm her emotionally and publicly.
The harassment allegations come after Megan filed a lawsuit against Milagro Gramz in October 2023, accusing the blogger of spreading falsehoods about the 2020 shooting incident involving Lanez. In that case, Megan claims Gramz was acting as an agent of Lanez, spreading damaging misinformation.
In his complaint, Lanez asserts that the restraining order is unnecessary, given that he no longer has access to a firearm and is currently incarcerated, making any potential future threat to Megan “nonexistent.” “There has been no direct contact of any kind” from Lanez to Megan, the complaint further states.
A hearing regarding the temporary restraining order is set for January 9, 2024, when a court will decide whether the order will be granted or denied. Lanez’s complaint is part of an ongoing legal battle that continues to bring public scrutiny to the controversial and complex relationship between the two hip-hop artists.
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