A federal magistrate judge in Miami issued a contempt of court ruling against imprisoned rapper Tory Lanez on November 16, 2025, just hours before jury selection began in Megan Thee Stallion’s defamation lawsuit against blogger Milagro Cooper. The order cited Lanez’s repeated obstruction of Megan’s legal team during multiple deposition attempts, marking a significant escalation in the high-profile case as it moved toward trial.
Substantial Sanctions for Obstruction
Lanez was fined $20,000 for obstructing Megan Thee Stallion’s legal team’s efforts to depose him before trial. His attorney, Crystal Morgan, was separately held in contempt and ordered to pay $5,000 for failing to uphold professional standards during the proceedings. The combined $25,000 in sanctions reflects the court’s firm stance on defendants who refuse to cooperate with legal discovery requirements in civil litigation.
Defiant Conduct and Refusal to Answer
During a contentious deposition on November 14, Judge Lisette M. Reid warned Lanez that his refusal to cooperate could result in contempt charges, financial penalties, and additional jail time. Lanez responded dismissively, stating, “Whatever the fines are, I’ll pay them. I’m a millionaire. I don’t care.” This attitude became central to the judge’s ruling, highlighting his apparent disregard for court-ordered obligations.
Lanez refused to answer three straightforward questions about how he first met Milagro Cooper, whether he had communicated with her, and if he had sent her direct messages. His refusal to address these basic inquiries directly supported the court’s finding that he obstructed justice.
Chaotic Deposition Proceedings
The November 14 deposition quickly descended into chaos. Lanez reportedly asked about the consequences of refusing to answer questions, made derogatory remarks toward Megan’s attorney, and walked out of the deposition room, claiming he had not been shown all exhibits. He returned later, acting more combative, and eventually walked out again, refusing to complete the session.
Court documents also criticized Crystal Morgan for repeatedly making speaking objections and coaching Lanez inappropriately throughout the proceeding. The court found that both Lanez and his attorney engaged in a coordinated effort to obstruct and deny the opportunity for questioning.
Pattern of Disruptive Behavior
This was not Lanez’s first problematic deposition. An earlier attempt lasted only 44 minutes before he behaved inappropriately and insulted the attorney. A second deposition in April was described as combative and chaotic, with Lanez repeatedly challenging the authority of Megan’s legal team. During that session, he questioned which “Megan Pete” was being referenced and claimed not to recall basic facts, engaging in deliberate obstruction tactics.
Impact on the Defamation Trial
Judge Reid ruled that jurors in the trial against Milagro Cooper will be informed that Lanez was asked appropriate questions but refused to answer them. This instruction could influence the jury’s perception of Lanez’s credibility and the defense’s strategy.
Megan Thee Stallion filed the federal defamation and cyberstalking lawsuit against Cooper on October 29, 2024, alleging that Cooper participated in a coordinated campaign with Lanez to spread false information and distribute an AI-generated pornographic video of Megan without her consent. Cooper also allegedly made false accusations that Megan committed perjury during Lanez’s 2022 trial for the 2020 shooting, damaging Megan’s reputation.
Emotional Testimony and Legal Precedent
Megan took the witness stand on November 20, 2025, providing emotional testimony about the impact of Cooper’s alleged campaign. She broke down while discussing the deepfake video and described the severe emotional toll it took on her mental health. Megan’s testimony highlighted the broader implications of the case, which could set important legal precedent regarding deepfake content and coordinated online harassment targeting public figures.
The trial continues as the jury considers whether the allegations against Milagro Cooper constitute defamation, cyberstalking, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.