The lawyer calling for investigations into T.I. and Tiny Harris for allegations of sexual exploitation is now saying the pair attempted to work out an arrangement with him, according to CBS46.
Tyrone A. Blackburn is accusing Steve Sadow, T.I. and Tiny’s lawyer, of approaching him to coordinate a deal for the couple. On Feb. 28, Blackburn sent a letter on behalf of 11 women to state and federal prosecutors in Georgia and California, requesting an investigation into the allegations of abuse brought against T.I. and Tiny.
“Steve Sadow reached out to me looking to make a deal on behalf of T.I. and Tiny and I told Steve Sadow my clients want justice,” said Blackburn. “So [if] the deal involves Tiny and T.I. turning themselves in and admitting to the crimes they have committed then fine we got a deal! But if it does not work then I would prefer the investigators do that work and to bring criminal charges against Tiny and T.I. for what they’ve done throughout the years.”
In January, Atlanta women’s empowerment activist Sabrina Peterson shared a story on social media of being threatened with a gun by T.I. Her allegation led to replies from more than 30 women claiming the Atlanta rapper and his wife have engaged in years-long pattern of exploitation. Eleven of those women have come forward claiming the couple engaged in “sexual abuse, forced ingestion of illegal narcotics, kidnapping, terrorist threats, and false imprisonment,” Blackburn wrote in his letter.
Sadow released his own statement on behalf of T.I. and Tiny, asserting that they “deny in the strongest possible terms these unsubstantiated and baseless allegations.” Sadow said, “We are confident that if these claims are thoroughly and fairly investigated, no charges will be forthcoming. These allegations are nothing more than the continuation of a sordid shakedown campaign that began on social media. The Harrises implore everyone not to be taken in by these obvious attempts to manipulate the press and misuse the justice system.
“I understand that at a virtual press conference today, attorney Blackburn claimed the Harrises reached out to him through me to supposedly make a deal,” Sadow continued. “That is patently false. I reached out to see if he would share any information since his name was posted on Instagram as the attorney for Sabrina Peterson.
“Blackburn repeatedly refused to provide the names of his accuser-clients or any corroborating or supporting evidence of his groundless claims. The Harrises repeat that they are confident if a thorough and fair investigation is conducted, no charges will be brought.”
T.I. himself took to IGTV in January to personally deny the allegations leveled against him and his wife. He referred to the women accusing him of crimes as “liars,” and indicated that he was planning on taking legal action.
“What we’re not gonna do is open the door to my bedroom,” he said. “But I will say this: Whatever we ever have done, has been done with consensual adults who [are] into what we’re into and like what we like. … We never forced nobody, we never drugged nobody against their will, we ain’t never held nobody against their will, we never made nobody do anything. … Never raped nobody.”
In light of the allegations, MTV announced that it would be halting production of its series T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle. “We are aware of the allegations, and while they are not connected to our show, we have reached out to T.I. and Tameka Harris, as well as local and state officials,” an MTV spokesperson told Deadline.
