Kevin Hart’s ex-friend cleared of extortion from sex scandal
Kevin Hart‘s ex-friend J.T. Jackson, has been cleared of all charges from a 2017 sex tape scandal. In a video posted on social media, Hart spoke about the case saying, “I’m happy that that chapter in my life is over.” Jackson was accused of putting up a camera in Hart’s Las Vegas hotel room and recording the comedian’s sexual rendezvous with Montia Sabbag. In 2017, the affair went public when TMZ reported on what they described as a “graphic” video, posting a photo of the two.
At the time, Hart was framed in the scandal as somewhat of a victim having been double-crossed by a close friend who allegedly tried to extort millions from him.
However, Sabbag said Hart and Jackson colluded to set the whole thing up for personal gain. She sued for $60 million in damages, alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and invasion of privacy, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. According to TMZ, Hart wants the sex tape case dismissed.
Sabbag claimed in the court docs that Hart allowed Jackson to access the room to set up the video to record their encounter without her knowledge. She claims it was all done to help “promote [Hart’s] Irresponsible Tour, and to increase his overall status,” according to the documents.
Hart took to social media to publicly apologize to his wife, Eniko.
“I’m guilty [of infidelity], regardless of how it happened and what was involved, the s– that I can’t talk about, I’m guilty. I’m wrong,” Hart said in an interview with the Power 105.1 FM show The Breakfast Club in December 2017. “It’s beyond irresponsible. There’s no way around it. That’s Kevin Hart in his dumbest moment. That’s not the finest hour of my life. With that being said, you make your bed you lay in it.”
Sabbag made clear that she is “not an extortionist.”
“I had nothing to do with these recordings,” she said at the time.
Jackson was facing charges of attempted extortion, attempted concealing and selling stolen property, unauthorized use of personal ID, and identity theft, according to TMZ. The first 3 charges were dropped in 2019, because of insufficient evidence, and now the identity theft charge has been dropped for the same reason, the outlet reports.
Hart went on Instagram to speak out the case.
“Look, it’s no secret that my life has had its share of ups and downs, it definitely has,” he said. “Not proud of the downs at all, but of course, that’s life, things happen – it’s our job to adjust when they do.”
Hart said he was initially unable to talk about the case.
“You know they kind of put a fork in the road between he and I, and that relationship was lost. But I’m glad that now not only I can finally speak on it, but I can say I’m happy that that chapter of my life is over. I’m happy that we are able to put a period on that sentence, and I am excited to get back to life as we once knew it.”