Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian have initiated a defamation lawsuit against Ray J, following controversial claims he made regarding their potential involvement in a federal racketeering investigation. The mother-daughter duo, known for their prominent roles in reality television, filed the suit on Wednesday after Ray J, whose real name is William Ray Norwood Jr., made insinuations that they would soon face federal scrutiny.
The allegations stem from statements made by Ray J during a TMZ special in May and further comments made during a recent Twitch livestream on September 24. During the livestream, he implied that Jenner and Kardashian were under impending investigation, declaring that “the feds are coming to investigate” them. He even suggested that the situation would escalate beyond what has been seen in other cases involving celebrities.
In a statement from their attorney Alex Spiro, Jenner and Kardashian expressed that they had never before pursued a defamation claim but felt compelled to act due to the seriousness of Ray J’s assertion. According to their complaint, they allege that Ray J is engaged in “a sustained campaign of harassment and defamation” stemming from his inability to accept the end of his past relationship with Kardashian, which lasted from 2002 to 2006.
The lawsuit emphasizes that there is no foundation to the claims made by Ray J — asserting that no investigation of this nature is underway. They assert unequivocally, “No such federal investigation exists,” and point out that law enforcement has not initiated any proceedings related to racketeering against either Kardashian or Jenner.
The statements made by Ray J were characterized by the Kardashian-Jenner camp as lacking any factual basis and presented as credible assertions instead of mere speculation. They argue that such baseless claims could potentially harm their reputations and personal lives.
This legal action reflects a growing trend among public figures to protect their images against unfounded allegations, underscoring the need for accountability in the often tumultuous world of entertainment where rumors can significantly impact lives. As Jenner and Kardashian navigate this challenging situation, it serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in fame and public scrutiny, as well as the legal avenues available for those who feel wronged.