Kevin Hart Hit with $12M Lawsuit Over Allegedly Breached Sex-Tape Extortion Agreement

Kevin Hart is facing a $12 million lawsuit filed by his former friend Jonathan "J.T." Jackson over an alleged breach of contract related to the 2017 sex-tape scandal that involved Hart. The legal dispute, brought to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, centers on Hart's failure to adhere to the terms of a settlement agreement the two parties reached in July 2021.

The conflict stems from Hart's 2017 scandal, where Jackson was initially charged with attempting to extort Hart by allegedly threatening to release a sexually explicit video featuring the comedian and a woman who was not his wife. In 2018, Jackson faced extortion charges, which were later dropped in September 2021. Despite the dismissal, Jackson claims Hart did not honor the agreed-upon terms when addressing the incident publicly.

According to the lawsuit, Jackson and Hart had a settlement agreement that required Hart to release a specific statement to help repair the alleged damage inflicted upon Jackson's character. This statement was supposed to be posted on Hart's Instagram in October 2021, but Jackson asserts that Hart “deviated significantly” from what "was meticulously negotiated and detailed in the Contract." The intended statement was meant to clear Jackson's name “unequivocally” and acknowledge the toll the allegations had taken on his “reputation and career.”

Jackson's attorney, Daniel L. Reback, emphasized that Hart's failure to comply with the contractual obligations has had a substantial negative impact on Jackson, making it difficult for him to secure acting roles. The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $12 million, along with legal costs and fees.