Tory Lanez Files Ethics Complaint Against Ex Lawyer Over Roc Nation Ties
By Tony M. Centeno
October 29, 2024
Tory Lanez has accused his former attorney of having ties to Roc Nation and bailing on him after he paid for her services.
According to a report TMZ published on Monday, October 28, the incarcerated artist filed an ethics complaint against his former attorney Shawn Holley to the State Bar of California. In his complaint, Lanez claimed he didn't know Holley had ties to Roc Nation — who manages Megan Thee Stallion — when he hired her to represent him. He also claimed that he paid Holley $200,000-$300,000 before she dropped out of his case just five days before he received his guilty verdict.
Lanez claimed Holley didn't have his best interests in mind while she served as his attorney. He claimed she followed directives from Roc Nation when she encouraged him to take a plea deal. When he refused, Lanez accused Holley of failing to help his case. He alleged Holley told the DNA expert assigned to the case not to perform more testing on the gun in question even after Lanez said he never touched it. He also claimed Holley pulled out of the case under false pretenses.
He also cited Hulu's new TV series "Reasonable Doubt" as proof of Holley's conflict of interest. The show is reportedly inspired by elements of her life and she is listed as a producer. According to a source close to the situation, the show is not tied to JAY-Z or Roc Nation outside of the title, which is strictly a play on his debut album. Nonetheless, Lanez wants Holley to be reprimanded by the California Bar and demands a refund.
Shawn Holley denied all the allegations Lanez made in his complaint. In a letter to the Bar, Holley and her legal team emphasized that she has no ties to Roc Nation and has never represented the record label. In regards to Lanez's accusations about her decision to drop out of the trial, Holley referred to emails she sent to Lanez, in which she told him that she didn't want to pursue a "completely new and different defense." She also noted that she couldn't make it to Lanez's verdict hearing due to a scheduling conflict.
"Mr. Peterson brought these meritless claims to the State Bar over a year ago and they were summarily rejected and the matter was promptly closed," Holley said in a statement. "His actions to publicize this failed effort are likely tied to the appeal of his criminal conviction, for which I wish him well."
See what Lanez's legal team had to say about Holley's statement below.
Hi! I’m back again ..
— BROWN GIRL GRINDING⭐️ (@LorenLorosa) October 29, 2024
With a stament from Tory Lanez legal team in response to Shawn Holley (former attorney for Tory Lanez during parts of the Meg Thee Stallion shooting trial) denying ties to roc nation:
Tory Lanez has never filed anything with the bar since he’s been a… https://t.co/A2hMlgd2ny