50 Cent was in court Tuesday, testifying that his lavish lifestyle is nothing more than a front and doesn't accurately portray his finances.
The rapper was summoned to the Manhattan Supreme Court in relation to a lawsuit filed against him by Lastonia Leviston, whose personal moments with a boyfriend caught on tape were released by 50 Cent as a way of getting back to Rick Ross, who has a daughter with her. According to 50 Cent, Maurice Murray, Leviston's then-boyfriend, said the woman wouldn't mind if their sex tape was released. Leviston, however, denies giving anyone permission to do so.
An invasion-of-privacy lawsuit was subsequently filed against 50 Cent, with a jury ordering him to cough up $5 million to pay for damages incurred by Leviston. The rapper's testimony in court will be used to determine if he should be paying Leviston more than what has been initially ordered of him.
Forbes ranked 50 Cent as one of the five richest hip-hop artists, valuing him with a net worth of $155 million, which he did not refute. With that kind of wealth, surely a man would have the means to shell out $5 million.
However, when questioned about his high-rolling lifestyle, complete with flashy jewelry and expensive cars, 50 Cent said he doesn't actually own any of them. Instead, he leases, borrows and rents.
Recently, the rapper also filed for personal bankruptcy protection, listing his assets and liabilities to be between $10 million and $50 million. James Renard, his lawyer, clarified that 50 Cent is currently worth $4.4 million.
But seeing as 50 Cent has had a successful career in music, which resulted in numerous endorsement deals and a record company of his own, and lives in a mansion in Connecticut with luxury cars in the garage, Philip Freidin, Leviston's lawyer is not letting up. Even a recent Instagram post from the rapper showing a 65-karat ring was brought up, but the rapper said it was borrowed jewelry.
"You have to ask my accountant," added 50 Cent, regarding how much he's earned for his various endorsement deals, details of which Freidin pressed him for.
Photo: Doug Kline | Flickr
