Kevin Hart‘s infamous 2017 sex tape controversy could be dragged back into the spotlight as part of the comedian’s latest legal battle.
According to court documents, Hart’s former assistant Miesha Shakes wants Montia Sabbag, the woman involved in the sex tape controversy, to testify in her ongoing case against the comedian.
Shakes is seeking to question Sabbag about the circumstances surrounding the 2017 incident and the investigation that followed, according to the court filings.
The request comes amid a separate legal fight between Shakes and Hart.
Hart sued his former assistant, accusing her of breaching a non-disclosure agreement by discussing aspects of his personal life during an interview with a blogger. Shakes has disputed Hart’s claims, arguing that the agreement is void and alleging that Hart himself failed to comply with certain obligations under the deal.
Now, she wants Sabbag’s testimony as part of her defense.
Sabbag sued Hart in 2019 for $60 million, alleging that he recorded her having sex without her consent. Hart denied wrongdoing, and the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed.
Shakes has pointed to the controversy while arguing that Hart’s reputation was affected by events involving his own conduct over the years. Her legal position contrasts with Hart’s claim that she damaged his reputation by publicly discussing private matters.
Shakes is also expected to testify herself and has indicated that she wants Hart called as a witness.
That could put both sides of the dispute directly under questioning as the case moves forward.
The potential involvement of Sabbag does not mean the allegations from the earlier sex tape lawsuit have been established as fact. Her proposed testimony would instead concern the circumstances and investigation surrounding that controversy as they relate to the current legal dispute.
For Hart, a court fight that began over an alleged NDA breach could therefore reopen questions surrounding one of the most public controversies of his career.
The case remains ongoing.
