Justice Prevails: Metro Boomin Found Not Liable in 2016 Sexual Assault Civil Trial

Complete Vindication: Metro Boomin Found Not Liable in Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit

The year-long legal ordeal is finally over for Grammy-nominated hip-hop producer Metro Boomin, whose real name is Leland Tyler Wayne. A Los Angeles jury has reached a verdict, finding him not liable on all counts in the civil lawsuit alleging sexual battery and gender violence. This verdict marks a moment of complete vindication for the producer, who has steadfastly denied the allegations stemming from an alleged 2016 encounter. The highly-publicized case, which centered on complex testimony and conflicting accounts, has captivated the music industry and legal observers alike, bringing a hard-won conclusion for the "Heroes & Villains" mastermind.

The Allegations: An Eight-Year-Old Claim Brought to Court

The civil lawsuit was filed in October 2024 by Vanessa LeMaistre, eight years after the alleged incident. The plaintiff claimed that in September 2016, while visiting Wayne at a California recording studio, she became impaired after consuming alcohol and half a tablet of Xanax. She alleged she woke up in a different location—a hotel room—to find Wayne sexually assaulting her, claiming she was in and out of consciousness and unable to consent.

The lawsuit sought unspecified damages for sexual battery and gender violence, asserting that the encounter resulted in a pregnancy and subsequent abortion. Furthermore, LeMaistre's filing suggested that lyrics in the 2017 Metro Boomin-produced song “Rap Saved Me” referenced the alleged assault.

The Defense: "Pure Shakedown" and Consensual Activity

From the moment the lawsuit was filed, Metro Boomin's legal team vehemently denied all allegations, labeling the civil action as a "pure shakedown" designed to extort the successful producer for a multi-million dollar settlement.

Key points presented by Wayne’s defense included:

 * Consensual Activity: Wayne testified that he and LeMaistre had engaged in consensual sexual activity on two separate occasions prior to the alleged assault date, directly challenging the plaintiff's narrative of their relationship.

 * Contradictory Evidence: The defense introduced alleged journal entries written by LeMaistre, which they claimed outlined a premeditated plan to sue the producer for millions.

 * The Ayahuasca Testimony: A dramatic point in the trial was the plaintiff's testimony that she realized she needed to seek justice after taking the psychedelic plant Ayahuasca. LeMaistre insisted the drug only helped her realize she was raped, while the defense used it to suggest her claims were fabricated or inspired while under the influence.

 * Delayed Filing: The significant eight-year delay in filing the civil suit was a point of contention, with the defense suggesting it indicated a lack of credible immediate belief in the claim.

Metro Boomin himself expressed the personal toll the process took, stating that he and his family, including his adopted younger siblings, suffered a "long list of losses... in this year long process of clearing my name and reputation."

The Verdict: Jury Finds Metro Boomin Not Liable on All Four Counts

After a three-day civil trial in Los Angeles, the jury deliberated for only a few hours before delivering their decision. The verdict was a resounding not liable on all four counts brought against Leland Wayne.

The civil trial process, which requires a lower burden of proof than a criminal trial, ultimately did not find the evidence sufficient to hold Wayne financially responsible for the damages claimed by the plaintiff. The jury's quick decision in favor of the producer brings a definitive end to the public spectacle and legal uncertainty that has loomed over his career since the lawsuit was filed.

Upon hearing the verdict, Wayne expressed profound relief, stating he was "grateful and thankful to God that I can finally put all of this nonsense behind me." His vindication is a powerful, though sobering, conclusion to a celebrity legal battle that raised difficult questions about consent, delayed accusations, and the impact of public celebrity trials.

The legal journey for the influential producer is now complete, leaving him free to refocus his attention on his prolific career, where he has become one of the most in-demand and successful hitmakers in modern hip-hop. Fans and the industry now anticipate the future musical endeavors of the now-vindicated Leland Wayne.