Kevin Hart’s attorney says in new court papers that he will ask a judge to determine without a jury that a former personal assistant to the comedian breached a contract by remarks she made during an online interview in alleged violation of an agreement.
Lawyer Donte O. Mills filed court papers Wednesday with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Steven A. Ellis stating that the “undisputed material facts” show defendant Miesha Shakes and her former boss were parties to a non-disclosure agreement that Shakes allegedly breached by participating in the interview.
Mills further says Hart will seek compensation for his attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses regarding the non-disclosure agreement.
In a sworn declaration in support of the motion, scheduled for hearing Sept. 9, Hart says Shakes was “privy to certain confidential business and personal information regarding me, my family, friends, associates and personnel at Hartbeat and other companies” with which the entertainer is affiliated.
Working in the entertainment industry, Hart’s livelihood depends in part on his reputation and the public’s perception of him, particularly in light of the fact he is involved in a number of family-oriented projects, according to the declaration, in which Hart also says he endorses various national brands and those endorsement deals depend in part on public perception of his reputation.
“I have therefore suffered harm as a result of the interview’s publication and Shakes’ dissemination of confidential Information,” Hart says, estimating the harm at about $50,000.
Hart’s suit, originally filed in December 2023 and amended a month later, involves a social media conversation between Shakes and Latasha Transrina Kebe, who also is known as Tasha K. Hart previously settled the part of the case with Kebe and no terms were divulged.
In their court papers, Knox and the 46-year-old Hart’s other attorneys maintain their client and his company, K. Hart Enterprises Inc., suffered “irreparable harm from the continued publication and broadcasting of the interview and related content, which includes defamatory statements, including false statements regarding Hart’s supposed criminal conduct, which are damaging to his reputation and thereby to his livelihood as a performer.”
Hart’s other claims against Shakes include defamation and invasion of privacy. Trial is scheduled Oct. 12.