The Sabrina Peterson lawsuit against Clifford “T.I.” Harris and Tameka “Tiny” Harris was dismissed in March 2025 after more than four years without being prosecuted, and a Los Angeles judge denied Peterson’s motion to reinstate it in October 2025. Peterson now faces T.I.’s own federal defamation suit in the Central District of California, where as of June 2026 only one of her counterclaims remains alive and is itself the subject of a pending motion to dismiss.1Rolling Stone. T.I. and Tiny: Sabrina Peterson Defamation Lawsuit2The Jasmine Brand. Rapper T.I. Asks Judge to Dismiss Sabrina Peterson’s Emotional Distress Claim Over Instagram Video
How the Dispute Started
In January 2021, Peterson posted on Instagram that T.I. had once held a gun to her head and threatened to kill her, describing an incident she said occurred at a 2009 birthday party after an altercation with T.I.’s assistant.3Business Insider. T.I. and Wife Tiny Harris Face Allegations From Sabrina Peterson She then shared statements from more than 30 women alleging the Harrises had drugged, coerced, or forced them into sexual activity.4Rolling Stone. T.I. and Tiny Defamation Lawsuit: Sabrina Peterson T.I. and Tiny denied every allegation and called the claims a “sordid shakedown campaign.”5The Guardian. T.I. and Tiny Deny Sexual Assault Allegations From Three Further Women Within weeks, the Harrises and their hairstylist Shekinah Jones Anderson had posted responses of their own, and Peterson sued.
Peterson’s Defamation Suit Against the Harrises
On March 1, 2021, Peterson filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Clifford Harris, Tameka Harris, and Jones Anderson, alleging defamation, invasion of privacy, interference with prospective economic advantage, and infliction of emotional distress.4Rolling Stone. T.I. and Tiny Defamation Lawsuit: Sabrina Peterson6Rolling Stone. T.I. and Tiny Harris Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed
Anti-SLAPP Ruling Cut Most Claims
Judge David Sotelo initially denied the defendants’ anti-SLAPP motions in September 2021.7MyNewsLA. Woman Opposes Attorneys Fees for T.I., Wife Tiny Harris On June 2, 2023, a three-justice panel of California’s Second District Court of Appeal partially reversed, unanimously striking five of Peterson’s seven claims: trade libel, intentional and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Only defamation and false-light invasion of privacy survived.8Westside Current. Rapper T.I. and Wife Seek Dismissal of Remaining Claims in Defamation Suit Justice Audra Mori’s opinion also held that the Harrises could recover attorneys’ fees for the stricken claims.
The $96,000 Fee Order and Contempt Charge
In October 2023, a judge ordered Peterson to pay more than $96,000 in attorneys’ fees to the Harrises, reduced from the nearly $165,000 they had sought.8Westside Current. Rapper T.I. and Wife Seek Dismissal of Remaining Claims in Defamation Suit Peterson did not pay. Seventeen months later, no portion of the debt had been satisfied.6Rolling Stone. T.I. and Tiny Harris Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed In December 2024, the Harrises filed a contempt charge, with their attorney Andrew Brettler arguing Peterson had willfully violated the court order and bragged online that she would never pay.9Vibe. T.I. and Tiny Harris Ask Court to Force Accuser to Pay Fees A contempt hearing was set for March 2025, with the judge warning that an arrest warrant could issue if Peterson failed to appear.10Rolling Stone. T.I. and Tiny Defamation Trial Contempt: Sabrina Peterson
Dismissal and Denied Reinstatement
On March 24, 2025, Los Angeles County Judge Michael Shultz dismissed Peterson’s lawsuit in its entirety, finding she had failed to prosecute the case over the four-plus years since it was filed. The defense pointed to Peterson cycling through three law firms, conducting no discovery, and missing key hearings.11People. Defamation Lawsuit Against Rapper T.I. and Wife Tiny Dismissed The dismissal was without prejudice. The judge declared the contempt charge moot but noted the Harrises could still pursue collection of the $96,000 judgment.6Rolling Stone. T.I. and Tiny Harris Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed
Peterson tried to revive the case. On October 17, 2025, Judge Shultz denied her motion to reinstate it, ruling that she had not shown “excusable neglect.” Her attorney, Keita T. Middleton, called the ruling an “extreme miscarriage of justice” caused by the ineffectiveness of her previous lawyers and said he intended to appeal.1Rolling Stone. T.I. and Tiny: Sabrina Peterson Defamation Lawsuit
T.I.’s Federal Suit Against Peterson
In December 2024, T.I. filed his own defamation lawsuit against Peterson in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.12PACER Monitor. Clifford Harris v. Sabrina D. Peterson He alleges that in September 2024, Peterson published Instagram posts falsely claiming he was under federal investigation for sex trafficking involving another celebrity, and that the statements were knowingly false and meant to damage his career.6Rolling Stone. T.I. and Tiny Harris Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed
Peterson was served the same day her state case was dismissed. She represented herself at first, then retained Middleton. On October 8, 2025, she filed amended counterclaims for defamation and abuse of process, challenging T.I.’s allegation that she had illegally marketed herself as a “cannabis entrepreneur” through Pretty High Co., LLC without the required California license. Peterson says she held the necessary license while the company’s website was active.1Rolling Stone. T.I. and Tiny: Sabrina Peterson Defamation Lawsuit
Where the Federal Case Stands
Trial had been scheduled for June 2026, but as of June 19, 2026, the case remains in motions. On June 15, 2026, T.I.’s legal team moved to dismiss Peterson’s intentional infliction of emotional distress claim, described as her final remaining claim in the litigation. The judge had not yet ruled.2The Jasmine Brand. Rapper T.I. Asks Judge to Dismiss Sabrina Peterson’s Emotional Distress Claim Over Instagram Video If the motion is granted, it would effectively end Peterson’s side of the case and leave only T.I.’s affirmative claims against her.
Separately, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office declined in September 2021 to file criminal charges arising from the LAPD’s sexual assault investigation of the couple, determining that the alleged 2005 incident fell outside the 10-year statute of limitations.13Los Angeles Times. T.I. and Tiny Sexual Assault Lawsuit Dismissed That investigation was not part of Peterson’s civil lawsuit.