California - US rapper Soulja Boy (real name: DeAndre Cortez Way, 34) must pay four million dollars after a lawsuit alleging sexual assault and abuse by his former assistant was successful.

The former assistant of the "Crank That" performer filed a lawsuit against him back in 2021.

According to Rolling Stone, the two had a consensual, intimate relationship at times in 2019 and 2020. In the statement of claim, the woman accused him of assault, sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress as well as non-payment of wages, among other things.

The trial against the 34-year-old took place over the last three weeks. The jury found the defendant guilty on almost all counts. The musician was only acquitted of deprivation of liberty and creating a hostile working environment.

The court ruled that the plaintiff was entitled to compensation of four million dollars (3.5 million euros) and a further 250,000 dollars (220,000 euros) in punitive damages.

The woman told Rolling Stone after the verdict was made public, saying: "I feel like I'm getting justice. Of course, I won't get back everything I lost. I've lost a lot more than I've gained. I hope he doesn't do this to any more women."

Soulja Boy, on the other hand, vehemently denies all accusations and emphasizes that he never abused the woman. As the music magazine reports, all sexual acts were consensual in his opinion and the accusations are "disgusting".

The Grammy nominee does not want to accept the verdict and makes it clear that he is innocent. "This case was never about justice, it was about money and personal enrichment and I will not accept that," he is quoted as saying by Rolling Stone . He plans to appeal.