Current:Home > FinanceDJ Akademiks, Off The Record podcast host, accused of rape and defamation -Horizon Finance School
DJ Akademiks, Off The Record podcast host, accused of rape and defamation
View
Date:2025-04-18 17:58:22
DJ Akademiks, a media personality and host of the Off The Record podcast, has been sued for allegedly raping a woman.
In a civil lawsuit filed in New Jersey Superior Court Monday, which was obtained by USA TODAY Tuesday, Fauziya “Ziya” Abashe alleged Akademics, whose real name is Livingston Allen "brutally" raped her in July 2022. She also alleged two unnamed "accomplices" drugged and raped her at Allen's house earlier that day.
Abashe, described as a writer who lives in Pennsylvania, sued Allen and two John Does for sexual assault, negligent infliction of emotional distress and defamation and requested a jury trial.
Tyrone Blackburn, Abashe's lawyer, said in a statement shared with USA TODAY Tuesday, "Litigation is always the last resort. After several unsuccessful attempts to resolve this case privately, Ms Abashe was left with no choice but to file. Mr. Allen’s hubris will be his downfall."
USA TODAY has reached out to Allen for comment.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
DJ Akademiks' response to the lawsuit
Allen, who also co-hosts Complex's series, "Everyday Struggle," and has accumulated several million followers across social media sites including YouTube, X and Twitch, has been garnering attention recently for his coverage of the rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
In a Rumble livestream Tuesday, Allen appeared to address the lawsuit, saying, "I'm going to go against my very high-priced attorney's advice today, but I'm still not going to say much."
He added, "My only comment should really be: Whatever this is will be handled in court. Just know, according to the law and according to the police and according to all sanctioning governing authorities, Akademiks is an innocent man who has not ever been charged with anything of the sort that has to do with any deviancy or anything like that, has never been charged, will never be charged. That's a fact."
He called the lawsuit "a shakedown," adding, "This is a money tree situation."
What is DJ Akademiks accused of doing?
In her lawsuit, Abashe said she started "casually dating" Allen after meeting through social media in 2021. The July 2022 incident took place about a year after they last saw each other, she said.
After arriving at Allen's New Jersey home on July 16, 2022, she alleged John Doe one and John Doe two fixed her a drink that was drugged and plied her with alcohol while she was in a hot tub before sexually assaulting her on Allen's pool deck while she was unconscious. She also alleged Allen raped her afterward.
According to her lawsuit, Abashe went to the police to report the assaults and had a sexual assault forensic exam performed. The complaint also states Abashe believes police used evidence provided by her to obtain a warrant from a judge and get a hold of footage and evidence of the assault.
"Mr. Allen and his two accomplices’ sexual assault severely injured Ms. Abashe, causing significant physical and psychological pain and suffering, loss of dignity, and invasion of her privacy," the lawsuit reads. "Mr. Allen's public statements added to the harm Ms. Abashe was already silently suffering with."
Abashe said she "remained silent" until Allen took to his social media accounts in December and "accused Ms. Abashe of voluntarily having an orgy with his friends at his home while maintaining that he never participated at all."
In his Rumble livestream, Allen seemingly confirmed a police investigation had been conducted and claimed he was "cleared" of wrongdoing.
"I told the truth: Hey, the police came, they looked, we gave them everything, pretty much everything is documented, caught on video tape. They got to see it with their own two eyes," he said.
"Not only did they say Ak, you good — and that's not just word of mouth — you're officially cleared. We could not bring any criminal charges. You are not criminally liable. Also, anybody else in the situation was also cleared."
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE & online.rainn.org).
veryGood! (4)
Related
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Orlando Magic make $50K donation to PAC supporting Ron DeSantis presidential campaign
- U.S. pushes Taliban on human rights, American prisoners 2 years after hardliners' Afghanistan takeover
- Deep-red Arizona county rejects proposal to hand-count ballots in 2024 elections
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- 24-Hour Deal: Save $86 on This Bissell Floor Cleaner That Vacuums, Mops, and Steams
- Body seen along floating barrier Texas installed in the Rio Grande, Mexico says
- Apple AirPods Pro are still the lowest price ever—save 20% with this Amazon deal
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Exclusive: First look at 2024 PGA Tour schedule; 4 designated events to keep 36-hole cut
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Fitch downgraded U.S. debt, and the stock market slid. Here's what it means.
- Federal funds will pay to send Iowa troops to the US-Mexico border, governor says
- Drag artists and LGBTQ+ activities sue to block Texas law expanding ban on sexual performances
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Willy the Texas rodeo goat, on the lam for weeks, has been found safe
- Lizzo's former backup dancers detail allegations in lawsuit, including being pressured to touch nude performer
- Christina Aguilera Makes a Convincing Case to Wear a Purse as a Skirt
Recommendation
Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
Montrezl Harrell, 76ers big man and former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, has torn ACL
13 injured in South Korea when a man rams a car onto a sidewalk, stabs pedestrians
Mortgage rates tick higher: 30-year, fixed home loan is at 6.90%; 15-year at 6.25%
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
Ex-NFL cornerback Damon Arnette must appear in court for plea deal in felony gun case, judge says
Jonathan Majors' trial on assault and harassment charges begins in New York
Texas Medicaid drops 82% of its enrollees since April