T.I. and Tiny’s Accuser Loses Lawsuit After Ignoring Court Orders

Sabrina Peterson, who accused T.I. and Tiny of defamation, avoided jail time at her criminal contempt hearing Monday but saw her lawsuit dismissed due to what the judge called an “inexcusable failure” to move the case forward.

Courtroom Showdown

Peterson, an Instagram influencer and business coach, sued Clifford “T.I.” Harris and Tameka “Tiny” Cottle-Harris in 2021, claiming they defamed her after she alleged that T.I. once put a gun to her head. She also pointed to other allegations against the rapper involving drugging and assaulting women.

However, after failing to pay $96,000 in court-ordered attorneys’ fees, Peterson found herself under legal scrutiny. During the hearing, Los Angeles County Judge Michael Shultz warned her about the possibility of jail time. Peterson argued that she could not afford the payment, offering to settle the debt in $1,000 monthly installments.

Judge Shultz was unimpressed. “It’s been 17 months and you haven’t paid a dime,” he noted. T.I. and Tiny’s attorney, Andrew Brettler, emphasized Peterson’s disregard for court orders, stating she had made no effort to push her lawsuit forward beyond filing and switching lawyers.

Case Dismissed

After reviewing the case history, Judge Shultz ruled that Peterson had failed to prosecute her lawsuit. “It has now been four years and 23 days,” he said, officially dismissing the case. However, T.I. and Tiny can still pursue the $96,000 owed to them.

Following the hearing, Peterson expressed exhaustion. “I’m relieved it’s finally over,” she told Rolling Stone.

More Legal Battles Ahead

As Peterson exited the courthouse, she was served with legal documents tied to a separate federal defamation lawsuit T.I. filed against her in December. He claims she falsely accused him of being under federal investigation for sex trafficking.

Peterson’s dismissed lawsuit initially stemmed from social media posts, including one in which Tiny questioned the credibility of Peterson’s claims. T.I. also posted a video denying all allegations, insisting that any activities he engaged in were between consenting adults.

While criminal charges against T.I. and Tiny were never pursued due to statute of limitations, their legal battles are far from over.