50 Cent forced to go to trial on sex-tape charge after filing for bankruptcy

The rapper allegedly leaked a sex-tape featuring a woman who has a child with rapper Rick Ross

(Getty Images)

A federal judge has ruled that rapper 50 Cent will have to stand trial on charges of leaking a sex tape after the rapper filed bankruptcy for his boxing promotion company in an apparent attempt to dodge the case, according to the New York Daily News.

Judge Katherine Failla split the two cases at the request of Lastonia Leviston, who accuses the rapper of invading her privacy and humiliating her by posting her sex tape on the internet. 50 Cent has denied these charges.

Leviston said the online presence of the video – which shows her having sex with a boyfriend and has more than 4million views – caused deep depression and made her suicidal. She claims that 50 Cent posted the video because he knew that she previously had a baby with rapper Rick Ross, with whom 50 Cent has had a long-time feud.

50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, claims Rick Ross posted the video.

Jury selection was set to begin on Tuesday, but was delayed when 50 Cent unexpectedly filed for bankruptcy for his company SMS Promotions. Since that company is not involved in the case, Judge Failla opted to proceed.

The bankruptcy filing for one of his companies is far from an indictment on 50 Cent’s wealth. He made $100 million from selling his stake in Vitamin Water and reportedly had a fortune of $500million.

Jury selection now is expected to resume on Monday.