Kevin Hart Fights Back: Comedian Seeks Dismissal of $12 Million Lawsuit Filed by Former Friend

Kevin Hart is pushing back against a $12 million lawsuit filed by his former friend, Jonathan T. Jackson, according to documents obtained exclusively by In Touch.

In a declaration filed on September 30 in Los Angeles Superior Court, Hart demanded the dismissal of Jackson’s lawsuit, which accuses him of fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and breach of contract. The lawsuit stems from a 2017 incident where Hart was secretly recorded with a woman who was not his wife while in Las Vegas. Jackson claims he was wrongly blamed for the video and falsely accused of attempting to extort Hart.

Jonathan alleged that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office conducted a raid based on an extortion claim he says was falsely reported by Hart and his team. He believes the accusations damaged his career and reputation, further worsened by Hart’s mention of the incident in a 2019 comedy special. Jackson also claims that in July 2021, he and Hart reached a settlement agreement to resolve the matter.

The agreement, according to Jackson, required Hart to advocate for the dismissal of criminal charges and issue a public statement exonerating him. However, Jackson alleges that after the charges were dropped, Hart failed to release the agreed statement, causing significant damage to his reputation.

In his legal response, Hart’s attorney countered by saying that law enforcement, including the District Attorney’s Office, uncovered substantial evidence implicating Jackson in the extortion plot. Despite this, Hart opted for a settlement in 2021 to avoid further legal complications. The lawyer stated, "[Kevin] entered into the Agreement despite the substantial evidence against Jackson, including material recovered from search warrants and seizures of [Jonathan’s] electronic devices. Rather than pursuing criminal charges, Hart chose to move forward and put the issue behind him."

However, Hart's legal team now argues that Jackson violated their agreement by filing this lawsuit instead of adhering to the arbitration clause outlined in their settlement. Court records also reveal that investigators traced key evidence, including emails linked to the extortion attempt, back to an IP address belonging to Jackson. Additionally, a laptop seized from Jackson’s home reportedly showed searches for hidden cameras and related materials before the Vegas trip.

In light of these findings, Hart's lawyer has asked the court to move the case from the public court system to arbitration. The court has yet to make a decision.

Jackson’s lawsuit also claims that Hart was supposed to release a statement reading: “The last three years of my life have had their ups and downs... I’m proud to say that all charges against JT Jackson have been dropped, and he is not guilty. He had nothing to do with this matter, and it is now resolved.”

Meanwhile, Hart is also dealing with a separate legal battle involving his former assistant.

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