Comedian and actor Kevin Hart has formally asked a judge to prevent Montia Sabbag from testifying in his ongoing lawsuit against his former personal assistant, Miesha Shakes. Hart’s legal team argues that Sabbag’s proposed testimony regarding a 2017 intimate video controversy is entirely irrelevant to the current breach of contract dispute. They claim it is designed solely to damage his public reputation and attract negative media attention.
The core legal battle centers around a confidentiality agreement and statements that Shakes made about the comedian during an interview with YouTube personality Latasha Kebe, widely known as Tasha K. Court documents cited in reports published by TMZ outline a high-stakes disagreement over witness lists, contractual obligations, and prior reputational harm.
Origins of the Legal Dispute Between Kevin Hart and Miesha Shakes
Miesha Shakes worked as a personal assistant for Kevin Hart from 2017 until 2020. Following her departure from his company, she signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) containing strict confidentiality clauses regarding Hart’s private life.
In December 2023, Shakes appeared in a tell-all interview with blogger Tasha K, discussing various aspects of Hart’s personal life, including an alleged affair at his office. Shortly after, Hart filed a lawsuit against both women. He accused Shakes of breaching her NDA and making false statements that caused significant damage to his reputation. Although Hart has since reached a settlement with Tasha K, his litigation against Shakes has moved forward.
Shakes has defended her actions by arguing that the non-disclosure agreement is legally invalid. She claims that Hart failed to fulfill specific obligations outlined in their contract, including promised health insurance provisions. Meanwhile, Hart’s camp states that financial payments made to Shakes under the agreement totaled $102,975. The former assistant contends that her statements did not cause unique harm because Hart’s public image had already suffered extensive damage from past events.
Why Montia Sabbag Was Added to the Witness List
The inclusion of Montia Sabbag on Shakes’ witness list has become the primary flashpoint in the current proceedings. Sabbag is the woman at the center of Hart’s highly publicized 2017 Las Vegas hotel recording controversy.
In 2019, Sabbag filed a $60 million lawsuit against Hart, alleging that the comedian had secretly recorded their s*xual encounter without her consent. Hart consistently denied any wrongdoing. Sabbag’s federal lawsuit was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds in 2020, and a separate California state case was dismissed in 2023 after Sabbag and her legal counsel missed a scheduled court conference. Neither dismissal rendered a final verdict on the factual truth of her allegations.
In the current lawsuit, Shakes aims to question Sabbag about that 2017 recording and the subsequent police and legal investigations. Shakes plans to use this line of questioning to support her argument that Hart’s public reputation was already heavily damaged long before her interview with Tasha K.
Kevin Hart’s Legal Pushback
In his latest filings, Kevin Hart is urging the court to intervene. His attorneys argue that Shakes submitted her potential witness list without any prior consultation with his legal team. Hart maintains that only he, Shakes, and Tasha K are directly relevant to the current breach of contract and NDA dispute.
Hart wants the presiding judge to issue an order requiring Shakes to legally establish the direct relevance of any additional witnesses before they are permitted to take the stand. He asserts that dragging Sabbag into the courtroom serves no legitimate evidentiary purpose and is merely a tactic to rake up old scandals and embarrass him publicly.
As court proceedings continue, the judge must decide whether Sabbag will be permitted to testify or if her involvement will be formally barred from the trial.
Key Details of the Ongoing Case
- Plaintiff: Kevin Hart
- Defendant: Miesha Shakes (Former Personal Assistant, employed 2017-2020)
- Dispute: Alleged breach of non-disclosure agreement via a December 2023 interview with Tasha K
- Controversial Witness: Montia Sabbag (central figure of the 2017 recording controversy)
- Hart’s Legal Position: Argues Sabbag’s testimony is irrelevant and intended to inflict reputational damage
- Shakes’ Legal Position: Argues NDA is invalid due to unfulfilled contract terms and that Hart’s reputation was previously damaged
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kevin Hart suing Miesha Shakes?
Kevin Hart sued his former assistant Miesha Shakes for allegedly violating a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) by discussing his personal life during a December 2023 interview with blogger Tasha K.
Who is Montia Sabbag?
Montia Sabbag is the woman involved in a 2017 intimate video controversy with Kevin Hart. She later filed a $60 million lawsuit against Hart in 2019 alleging lack of consent, which was ultimately dismissed.
Why does Miesha Shakes want Montia Sabbag to testify?
Shakes wants to question Sabbag about the 2017 recording to argue that Kevin Hart’s public image was already damaged prior to her interview with Tasha K, thereby challenging Hart’s claims of reputational harm.
How much did Kevin Hart pay Miesha Shakes under the agreement?
According to court documents, Hart maintained that his financial payments to Shakes under the negotiated agreement totaled $102,975.
Has the judge ruled on Kevin Hart’s request to block the testimony?
As of the most recent court reports, the judge had not yet issued a final decision regarding Hart’s request to block Sabbag from testifying.
