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Note: This article contains references to alleged sexual assault and battery that some readers may find disturbing.<\/em><\/p>\n Metro Boomin<\/a> is being sued by a woman who claims that he raped her in 2016, resulting in the woman\u2019s unwanted, and, ultimately, terminated, pregnancy. The woman, Vanessa LeMaistre, filed her complaint in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County on Tuesday, October 29. Formally, she is suing the musician for battery, sexual battery, and three further violations of California\u2019s civil codes. Metro Boomin, whose legal name is Leland Tyler Wayne, has denied the allegations through his attorney.<\/p>\n In her lawsuit, obtained by Pitchfork, Vanessa LeMaistre says that she met Metro Boomin, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the spring of 2016, not long after the death of her infant son. The two \u201chad several discussions about music and life in general,\u201d leading them to spend time together, over the ensuing months, at Metro Boomin\u2019s recording studio in California. \u201cMs. LeMaistre grew to feel safe and comfortable in Wayne\u2019s presence and thought of him as a friend,\u201d the complaint reads.<\/p>\n During one studio visit, in September 2016, LeMaistre says \u201cshe took half a Xanax, which she used to help get through difficult days and numb the pain, and was given a shot of alcohol.\u201d She says that, after drinking the alcohol, she lost consciousness, and, when she regained consciousness, \u201cshe woke up on a bed with Wayne on top of her.\u201d She alleges that she \u201clost consciousness again and woke up at some point later to Wayne performing oral sex on her.\u201d Due to her incapacitation, she could not give consent for the sex acts, she contends.<\/p>\n A few weeks after the alleged assault, LeMaistre learned that she was pregnant. \u201cGiven the recent loss of her son and the traumatic cause of her pregnancy, Ms. LeMaistre knew that she could not continue the pregnancy and maintain any semblance of her declining mental health,\u201d the lawsuit reads. \u201cAs a result, Ms. LeMaistre had an abortion in November 2016.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement shared with Pitchfork, Metro Boomin\u2019s attorney, Lawrence C. Hinkle II, wrote, \u201cThis is a pure shakedown. These are false accusations. Mr. Wayne refused to pay her months ago, and he refuses to pay her now. Mr. Wayne will defend himself in court. He will file a claim for malicious prosecution once he prevails.\u201d<\/p>\n LeMaistre\u2019s attorneys\u2014Michael J. Willemin, Monica Hincken, Omar H. Bengali, and Robert J. Girard II\u2014said a statement of their own: \u201cMetro Boomin has built a successful career with lyrics and social media that are not only offensive but also explicitly outline his intentions to harm women. These are more than mere words, and it\u2019s time for him to be held accountable for his manipulative tactics and unacceptable behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition, Michael J. Willemin said, in response to Hinkle\u2019s \u201cshakedown\u201d comment, \u201cMaking defamatory remarks is not going to help Metro Boomin\u2019s cause and we look forward to proving Ms. LeMaistre\u2019s claims in court and ultimately before a jury.\u201d<\/p>\n If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we encourage you to reach out for support:<\/em><\/p>\n RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline<\/em>
https:\/\/rainn.org<\/em><\/a>
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)<\/em><\/p>\n