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Note: This article contains descriptions of alleged sexual abuse and assault.
A New York–based lawyer is seeking an investigation of T.I. and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris, who are being accused of sexual abuse and assault, The New York Times reports. The lawyer, Tyrone A. Blackburn, represents 11 people who’ve said they’ve been “victimized” by the Harrises or members of their entourage, according to The Times. Blackburn has reportedly sent letters seeking criminal inquiry to offices of the U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Georgia and the Central District of California, the Los Angeles County District Attorney, and the state attorneys general of California and Georgia.
The Times spoke with five people who claim that they were drugged, raped, or sexually assaulted by the Harrises or their associates. Reporters for The Times also spoke with friends and family members and reviewed photos and messages that supported the timeline of events referred to in the allegations.
Steve Sadow, a lawyer representing the T.I. and Tiny, told The Times that the Harrises “deny in the strongest possible terms these baseless and unjustified allegations.”
In January, a woman named Sabrina Peterson surfaced allegations of sexual abuse against T.I. and Tiny. Peterson also claimed that, one time in 2009, T.I. held a gun to her head and threatened to kill her. Following Peterson’s allegations, VH1 suspended production of the Harrises’ reality show T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle.
The Harrises denied Peterson’s allegations and threatened legal action against her. According to The Times, Blackburn, in his letters, does not mention women whose stories Peterson shared on social media.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault or domestic violence, we encourage you to reach out for support:
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
http://www.rainn.org
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line
http://www.facebook.com/crisistextline (chat support)
SMS: Text “HERE” to 741-741
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
http://thehotline.org
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)