Tiffany Haddish. Image Source: Vanity Fair
Retracing the steps?
According to multiple reports, the anonymous woman who had filed a lawsuit against Tiffany Haddish and Aries Spears has now filed a request with the court to have her lawsuit dismissed.
The anonymous woman identified as Jane Doe had filed a complaint against Tiffany Haddish and Aries Spears last month, stating that the comedians had groomed her and her brother, identified as John Doe, to perform sexual acts as a part of a comedy skit while they were children. Tiffany Haddish has denied all the allegations made against her in the lawsuit.
The court documents obtained by The Daily Beast at the time of the filing stated that Jane Doe, who is now 22 years old, was 14 at the time, while her brother John Doe, who is now 15 years old, was 7 at the time of the alleged abuse. Following her attendance at a comedy camp where Tiffany served as a guest speaker, Jane Doe said in her filing that the actress had suggested her. In the case, it was claimed that the sexually explicit sketches, such as one titled "Through a Pedophile's Eyes," forced the kids to act out pretend sexual acts.
Jane Doe has since submitted a request to the court asking a federal judge in the US District Court for Central California to dismiss the case with prejudice, which means the case can no longer be brought up in the future. No explanation or justification for Jane Doe's decision to drop her lawsuit has been provided.
The woman Tuesday released a statement to TMZ in which she mentioned that her family and she had known Tiffany Haddish for many years and they knew that she would never harm her and or her brother or help anyone else do anything that could harm them. Jane Doe added that now they wish only the best for Tiffany Haddish and are glad that they can all put this behind them and move forward.
At the time of the filing of the case, Tiffany Haddish’s lawyer, Andrew B. Brettler, had shared that the claims mentioned by Jane Doe and John Doe were frivolous and denied all the allegations. Trizah Morris, the plaintiff's mother, has been attempting to assert these claims against Tiffany Haddish for many years and has taken her case to every attorney who has initially taken it on. According to Andrew, several of these attorneys have since dropped the case after learning that the claims are without foundation. Trizah Morris now has her adult daughter representing her in a lawsuit, and they will both bear the penalties. Tiffany's lawyer stated that she would not be bargained down.
Aries Spears’ attorney, Debra Opri, also shared a statement describing that the comedian is not going to fall for any shakedown. Soon after the allegations went public, Tiffany Haddish took to her social media to share a statement in which she mentioned that she understands that people have a bunch of questions and she is right here but said that, unfortunately, because it is an ongoing legal case, there is very little that she can say right now.
Tiffany further added that, clearly, while the sketch was intended to be comic, it was not funny at all and she deeply regretted having to agree to act in it. She mentioned that she looked forward to being able to share a lot more about the situation as soon as she could.
Aries Spears and Tiffany Haddish were both charged with sexual battery, sexual assault, willful misconduct, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse of a minor when the plaintiffs accused the comedians. Tiffany Haddish was also accused of inadequate supervision/failure to warn, constructive fraud, and violation of fiduciary duty.
The comedians or their representatives are yet to respond.
