🧾 Tory Lanez Ordered to Cover Megan Thee Stallion’s Legal Fees After Chaotic Deposition
In a dramatic escalation of Megan Thee Stallion’s defamation lawsuit against blogger Milagro Cooper, Tory Lanez has now been ordered by a federal judge to pay Megan’s legal fees—stemming from a deposition that devolved into a spectacle of noncompliance and disrespect.
💥 What Led to the Fee Order?
- During a Zoom deposition on April 9, 2025, conducted from the California prison where Lanez is serving a 10-year sentence for shooting Megan in 2020, his behavior reportedly included feigning ignorance of basic words and making misogynistic remarks toward Megan’s attorney, Mari Henderson. (“Your hair is distracting me,” he allegedly said.) The deposition ended prematurely after only 44 minutes, described by Megan’s team as “a waste of time” .
- Judge Cecilia Altonaga, recognizing the conduct as “disruptive, inflammatory, and inconsistent with basic norms of civil litigation,” granted the request to sanction Lanez. She required him to justify by April 30 why he should not be held in contempt and ordered him to cover all legal fees tied to the deposition—plus suggested appointment of a special master, whose oversight would also be paid for by Lanez .
🔍 Lanez’s Silence & Megan’s Legal Response
- Despite being formally served, Lanez failed to respond by the court’s April 30 deadline. Megan’s legal team subsequently doubled down, formally requesting the fees and oversight, and urging the court to schedule a hearing on the contempt motion if sanctions are not granted outright.
- Lanez’s criminal appeal attorneys confirmed they do not represent him in the defamation case and will not oppose contempt charges—or the sanctions request—on his behalf .
🧾 Broader Legal Context
- Megan sued Milagro Elizabeth Cooper, known online as Milagro Gramz, in October 2024, accusing her of cyberstalking, defamation, emotional distress, and dissemination of a deepfake pornographic video—allegedly at the direction and funding of Tory Lanez and his father. The civil trial is set to begin on July 21, 2025 .
- Lanez was convicted in December 2022 of three felony counts—including assault with a semiautomatic firearm and carrying a concealed weapon—and sentenced in August 2023. He is currently serving his sentence in California and is under a five-year restraining order granted in January 2025, prohibiting harassment of Megan via third parties.
⚠️ Why This Matters
| Key Issue | Significance |
|---|---|
| Accountability in Litigation | The court is demanding professionalism—even from defendants in custody—to protect the integrity of civil proceedings. |
| Financial Consequences | Requiring Lanez to cover attorney fees sends a message that disruptive legal tactics carry real costs. |
| Ongoing Legal Strategy | Megan’s team is proactively seeking structural safeguards, like a special master, to prevent future misconduct. |
| Public & Symbolic Dimension | Lanez’s conduct reignites debate over his treatment of Megan post-conviction and the broader influence he may exert from prison. |
🔮 What’s Next?
- Hearing Status: As of now, no final hearing date has been announced. Megan’s lawyers have requested a swift hearing if sanctions are not promptly granted by the court .
- Trial Preparations Intensify: With the defamation trial scheduled for July 21, both sides are lining up witnesses and evidence. The deposition fiasco may weigh heavily on pre‑trial motions and court opinion .
- Megan’s Public Stand: In recent months, Megan has strongly reaffirmed the legitimacy of Lanez’s conviction and continues to push back against online campaigns attempting to cast doubt on her testimony or experiences Pitchfork.
✍️ Final Thoughts
The court’s decision to make Tory Lanez cover Megan Thee Stallion’s legal fees stands as a firm rebuke of his behavior during the deposition—a behavior the judge deemed unworthy of legal protection. With the defamation suit and trial looming, and both sides deeply entrenched, the case continues to be one of the most watched legal showdowns in hip‑hop.
Have questions about Megan’s defamation lawsuit, the special master proposal, or Lanez’s appeal status?
