A Manhattan jury on Friday said the rapper should pay Lastonia Leviston $2 million in punitive damages on top of the $5 million they already found he should pay her for posting her sex tape online for millions to see.
"I've been served justice by the courts and vindicated by God," a beaming Leviston said afterwards.
As for her tormentor — who was not in court — she said, "I hope he learned a lesson."
The $2 million award was less than the $15 million Leviston's lawyer had asked for earlier in the day, but more than the $700,000 than Fitty's lawyers had recommended.
"We had to compromise. Some wanted (to award) more, some wanted less," said the jury foreman, Tom Evans, 72.
"What we came up with seemed to be balanced kind of equation."
None of the jurors bought the cries of poverty from the rap star, who filed for bankruptcy last week in an admitted bid to stop the jurors from slapping him with a punitive damages award after awarding Leviston $5 million for having her civil rights violated and emotional distress.
"He has it. He's 50 Cent. You know he has more than 50 cents," said another juror, Sylvia Rodriguez.
"I don't think he's broke. If anything he has it hidden," she said.
Evans agreed.
"We don't know how much money he has," he said. "You can move things around."
As for Fitty's testimony on Tuesday, where he said his hip-hop lifestyle is all a mirage, Rodriguez said, "It sucked."
"I don't think he was taking it seriously," she said. "He was winking at one of us, and then he just ran out of the courtroom. That wasn't necessary."
She didn't think he seemed apologetic at all for humiliating Leviston when he put her tape online for millions to see.
"He was funny, which wasn't working at all for someone who has hurt someone else," Rodriguez said.
She called Leviston "a tough lady," and praised her for standing up the superstar.
Outside of the courthouse, a grateful Leviston gave Rodriguez a hug and a kiss.
The single mom also took aim at Fitty's testimony, especially the "apology" he offered her from the witness stand, when he said, "I'm sorry if you feel that I hurt you."
"That wasn't an apology. That was an insult," she said.
Leviston, 36, said she hoped the jury's verdict would teach the superstar "you can't be mean and cruel to people."
Fitty’s lawyer, James Renard, said, “Although we appreciate the jury's service, we are disappointed in the result.”
“Our client intends to file post-verdict, pre-judgment motions which we believe should reduce the size of the award."
She callin' Ross like ….. Got'em ……
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