A woman claims that an attorney representing Trey Songz offered her close to $200,000 to recant her story of sexual misconduct on behalf of the embattled singer, per TMZ.
However, Songz’s representative denies the allegations. In 2017, Jauhara Jeffries filed a $10 million dollar lawsuit against him in 2020 for sexual assault during a 2017 New Year’s Eve event in Miami.
Court papers initially indicated that the case had been settled, but due to a previous motion, a judge dismissed the suit allowing a refile in 2021.
According to a court transcript from TMZ, Mariah Thielen says she conversed with Jeffries attorney, Ariel Mitchell, at a night spot in the Miami area. Jeffries and Thielen were both together the night of the alleged assault.
During the encounter, Thielen said Mitchell offered her between $100,000-$200,000 to falsify a confession stating that Songz assaulted both women. The money was a ploy to help label the singer in comparison to R. Kelly.
Mitchell would then present the concocted allegations to Songz’s legal counsel to receive a financial settlement. Court transcripts also report that Thielen’s testimony would make for a monetary increase once a settlement was reached.
Instead of cooperating with Mitchell, Thielen opted out of the deal and informed Songz’s legal team shortly after.
In response to Thielen’s claims, Mitchell told TMZ,
“We’re highly confident and certain the court will find the witness committed perjury. Parties are still awaiting the judges’ further instructions on how to proceed given the witness’s inconsistent testimony during the hearing.”
George Vrabeck, a legal partner alongside Mitchell, pulled out of the case amid the chaos. Supposedly, his choice was made so that he could represent her against the unethical claims.
“[Vrabeck] will be representing me against the parties involved in this disgraceful motion brought by Trey Songz and his representatives,” Mitchell said.
Jeffries describes meeting Songz at a New Year’s Eve party held at Diddy’s Miami mansion. The two would later continue partying at E11EVEN.
She went on to claim that while dancing on a couch, Songz made inappropriate and unwelcomed advances. Jeffries said she felt,
“Fingers being inserted into her vagina.”
According to Miami law firm, Stewart Tighlman Fox Bianchi & Cain, filing a civil claim against an assailant can possibly provide compensation for these factors:
- Psychological trauma
- Emotional counseling
- Medical treatment
- Loss of employment or wages
- Any damages resulting from the assault
Reported rape crimes in Miami increased this year between January and July followed by fondling then sodomy, per Miami Dade PD.