Rapper Busta Rhymes, born Trevor Smith Jr., is facing a civil lawsuit filed by his former assistant, Dashiel Gables, who alleges physical assault and an abusive work environment. The lawsuit, filed on August 4, 2025, includes claims of wage and hour violations, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Gables asserts that during a January 2025 incident, Rhymes punched him in the face after a verbal altercation, leading to medical treatment and a police report.He also alleges mistreatment by Rhymes and other employees, including verbal abuse, excessive working hours without overtime, and threats of violence. Gables is seeking damages for unpaid wages, lost benefits, and compensation for alleged blacklisting in the music industry. He has demanded a jury trial. 

In response, Rhymes has categorically denied all allegations, labeling them as fabricated and part of a smear campaign by a disgruntled former employee. He described the lawsuit as “an attempted shake-down” and announced plans to file a countersuit. Rhymes contends that Gables worked for him briefly and was let go due to unsuitability. He emphasized that the claims are retaliatory and aim to damage his reputation.

This legal dispute adds to Rhymes' history of legal issues, including a 2008 conviction for assault and drink-driving and a 2015 arrest for a separate altercation. Despite these past troubles, Rhymes continues to maintain a presence in the entertainment industry, having recently appeared in a "Naked Gun" reboot and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

The outcome of this case remains pending, with both parties preparing for further legal proceedings.

Sources: People, The Guardian