Jailed hip-hop star DMX (né Earl Simmons) has been ordered to pay $240,000 for assaulting a Connecticut man at JFK International Airport while posing as an FBI agent five years ago. A New York jury also found the rapper liable for causing emotional distress to the man’s mother and his 12-year-old daughter.
The trial took three days in Westchester County.
Sergei Priporin claimed that DMX used a police light and siren to force him to pull over in JFK parking lot. He alleged that the rapper then assaulted him and tried to pull him out of the vehicle by claiming to be an FBI agent. Priporin’s mother and daughter were in the car.
DMX was then arrested by Port Authority police after crashing through an exit gate while fleeing the scene. He was found with drugs in his possession and later pleaded guilty to criminal charges.
Separate from the criminal charges brought by the government, Priporin filed a civil lawsuit, alleging assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The three plaintiffs originally sought $4 million a piece.
DMX’s lawyers argued that he was merely attempting make a citizen’s arrest because Priporin was making him late for his flight. DMX denied assaulting Priporin. (DMX was not present at the trial – not a requirement for civil cases – because he is in jail in Arizona.)
