A production assistant has settled a lawsuit she filed against Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., HBO and other entities in which she alleged that she was assaulted and battered by a cast member of the hit television series “Rap Sh!t.”
A defense attorney told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Wendy Chang during a case management conference on Monday that the case brought by Whitley Wilkins was resolved. No terms were divulged.
Wilkins was employed as a sound utility assistant with the defendants and was working on set of “Rap Sh!t” in 2021 when cast member Jonica Booth allegedly struck one of Wilkins’ hands, wrapped her arm around the plaintiff’s neck and threatened to slap her. Wilkins maintained that she was not allowed to return for the next production season in retaliation for complaining about Booth.
“Following the attack, defendants failed to conduct an adequate investigation and failed to take any steps to protect plaintiff from further unprovoked attacks by Ms. Booth,” the suit filed last June 27 stated. Instead, defendants sought to protect only themselves by sweeping the matter under the rug. This lawsuit is the consequence of defendants’ despicable conduct.”
In their court papers, defense attorneys denied all of Wilkins’ allegations and said they were barred wholly or in part by the statute of limitations. The lawyers also maintained the dispute should have been brought through workers compensation.
“Rap Sh!t” centered on two female Miami-based rappers trying to achieve their dreams in the music industry. The show was canceled in January.