A$AP Rocky‘s plans to put the 2021 shooting incident behind him seem truncated.
New court documents obtained by The Blast reveal State Farm is refusing to provide the father-of-two with liability insurance regarding his legal battle with ASAP Relli. The duo’s drama started in 2021 after Relli accused Rocky of firing gunshots at him.
State Farm Has No Plans To Help A$AP Rocky With His Criminal Case
In the filing, State Farm claims that it gave Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, homeowners insurance (policy number 71-C8-W205-1) that was active from April 10, 2021, to April 10, 2022.
This policy covers damages if someone gets hurt or property gets damaged due to an accident. It also pays for legal defense if someone sues over it, but it will not cover criminal charges.
The policy defines bodily injury as physical harm to a person, excluding diseases transmitted by the insured or emotional distress unless it is connected to physical injury. As such, State Farm is arguing that its policy does not require them to provide defense or compensation for any defendant regarding any bodily injury claims to ASAP Relli, real name Terell Ephron, in the assault cause of action.
Recall that Relli filed a civil case against Rocky in the Los Angeles Superior Court in August 2022, citing claims of “Assault, Battery, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, and Negligence/Negligence Per Se.”
He alleged that Rocky requested a meeting in Hollywood in November 2021, during which an argument ensued, leading to the latter brandishing a handgun and firing shots in his direction. That action caused some injury.
A Judge Will Offer The Final Word Regarding The Liability Policy For Rocky
Notably, the insurance company states that they agreed to provide defense coverage based on Rocky’s business manager’s request in September 2022.
Despite that, State Farm maintains it is not on the hook, according to their policy or any other, to cover or defend anyone involved in the case of Relli’s bodily injury claim in the assault lawsuit.
Relli and Rocky beg to differ with the latter insisting that State Farm should step up to defend and cover any costs, like liabilities, damages, settlements, or judgments, that arise from the case.
Now, State Farm is worried about potential losses unless they get clarity on what their policy actually covers and how it applies in this situation. Hence, they want a judge to sort out who is responsible for what is under the policy.
They hope that this action will provide a clear ruling to settle this once and for all and make sure everyone knows where they stand.
Relli Filed A Defamation Complaint Against Rocky’s Attorney
Relli’s case against Rocky began last September when he pointed fingers at his former friend’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina.
Per The Blast, the rapper accused Tacopina of tarnishing his reputation with untrue stories while defending Rocky in a defamation suit.
Relli asserted that the legal representative launched a media blitz when he spilled to multiple media platforms that he was dishonest, solely motivated by money, and engaged in extortion.
The aggrieved artist suspected that the attorney’s actions were orchestrated by his ex-pal. In one interview, the 57-year-old lawyer asserted, “Rocky didn’t commit a crime.
It was an extortion attempt by a former associate, who threatened to make false, criminal accusations if Rocky didn’t pay him.”
In the legal documents where he made the claims, Relli mentioned that the defamation subjected him to numerous death threats and made him a target for public ridicule, turning his life into fodder for entertainment. He sought unspecified compensation in damages for the trouble.
Rocky & His Lawyer Are Unbothered By Relli’s Assertions
The defamation claims did nothing to faze Rocky, whose lawyer maintained that the filing was a misstep on Relli’s part.
“This is actually nothing more than a publicity stunt which is going to backfire badly. I more than welcome this lawsuit, especially because the resolution of the criminal case has not happened yet,” Tacopina expressed.
The celebrity lawyer equally doubled down on his statements about Relli being a money grabber, stating:
“This opens up this extortionist to depositions under oath now before the resolution of the criminal case. It will expose the fraud he committed. And unfortunately for his lawyers, it will cause them to be responsible for legal fees in this case.”
Rocky’s Criminal Trial Is Reportedly Killing The Spark In His Relationship
While Tacopina is busy bragging about having a strong case against Relli, another legal drama related to the 2021 shooting is allegedly taking its toll on Rocky’s romance with Rihanna.
One source disclosed that frequent arguments had marked the couple’s relationship, as the rapper appeared to have little tolerance for anything. The insider mentioned that Rocky’s “mood is terrible right now.”
Additionally, they remarked that the musical duo’s intimate life has suffered as a result of their ongoing problems.
As the insider revealed, “Before this mess with the trial, they could hardly keep their hands off each other, but their s— life is nonexistent these days. They’re both just too stressed.”
Rocky is facing charges of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm, for which he is currently out on bail.
