Fat Joe is facing a civil RICO lawsuit filed Thursday (June 19) in New York federal court by longtime associate Terrance Dixon, who claims the rapper subjected him to years of unpaid labor, sexual coercion, and threats of violence as part of an alleged criminal enterprise.
Dixon, also known as “TA,” worked alongside Fat Joe for over 16 years as a hype man, lyricist, security aide and creative partner.
In April, Fat Joe denied Dixon’s allegations and filed a preemptive lawsuit against Dixon and his lawyer, Tyrone Blackburn, claiming they were attempting to extort him into settling the matter.
“These allegations are completely false and part of a criminal conspiracy orchestrated between a disgruntled former hype man and his attorney. These two individuals have been scheming together to extort me with their elaborate and ludicrous demands changing by the day,” Fat Joe said in a statement before the filing of Dixon’s lawsuit.
In the 157-page complaint, Dixon accuses the Bronx rapper of exploiting his loyalty while withholding royalties, songwriting credits and compensation.
Here are five of the most disturbing allegations tied to what Dixon and his lawyer have dubbed the “Cartagena Enterprise.”
Alleged Cover-Up of Statutory Rape Involving Teenage Singer
Dixon claims he witnessed the downfall of a 15-year-old artist named K-Rose, who was signed to Epidemic Records, a label run by producer Andre “Dre” Christopher Lyon.
According to the suit, Dre began sexually abusing K-Rose in the studio after her parents dropped her off to record. The abuse allegedly lasted nearly a year.
Dixon says he and Fat Joe once walked in on Dre panicking, yelling, “I’m going to jail, Joe. I’m going to jail. They [K-Rose’s parents] found out I was dealing with K-Rose.”
Fat Joe allegedly responded, “Calm down; I’m going to take care of it.”
Dixon believes Fat Joe used a burner phone to contact the girl’s parents. K-Rose’s music career soon disappeared.
Forced Sexual Encounters Under Threat and Surveillance
Dixon alleges the rap star forced him into over 4,000 sexual situations with women after concerts and studio sessions. These encounters, he says, were arranged by Fat Joe and took place in environments the rapper controlled.
In one incident in Miami, Fat Joe brought a woman to his hotel suite and ordered Dixon to have sex with her in front of others, yelling, “Get your dick hard TA!”
“In many instances, [Fat Joe] remained present during these encounters, watching, recording, or issuing verbal commands and commentary,” the complaint reads.
Dixon says members of the crew, including Pete “Pistol Pete” Torres, watched and laughed. One person who was present allegedly said “Yo Joe, I’m not about to stand here and watch this n####’s dick.”
When Dixon resisted, he claims Fat Joe withheld pay, canceled travel plans or threatened to leave him stranded overseas.
Use of Coded Language and Alleged Firearms Trafficking
The lawsuit describes a system of coded language used by Fat Joe and his associates to direct violence and criminal activity.
Terms like “Ketchup” meant stabbing, “Matonden” meant kill, and “Corpen” meant to place someone in a casket.
Dixon also alleges he used a burner phone to coordinate drug and gun trafficking between Miami and the Bronx. The device, he claims, helped the rapper avoid subpoenas and surveillance while maintaining contact with criminal associates.
Alleged Sexual Abuse of Minors and Exploitation
Dixon claims he saw Fat Joe engage in sexual acts with girls as young as 15 and 16. He alleges the rapper used his burner phone to arrange meetings with underage girls, often while on tour or in hotels.
One girl, referred to as Minor Doe 1, was a 16-year-old Dominican teen in New York.
According to the complaint, she performed sex acts on the rapper in exchange for money, clothes and phone bill payments. Dixon says he once begged Fat Joe to pay her $100 phone bill, but the rapper refused, saying he was broke.
Dixon claims Fat Joe was in love with another 15-year-old girl, whom he supposedly rapped about on the song “She’s My Mamma.” Fat Joe allegedly rented the girl a condo up the street from the house he shared with his wife and paid all of the underage girl’s bills.
Threats of Violence and Orders to Attack Other Artists
Dixon alleges the Terror Squad boss ordered him to confront DMX in Miami after a dispute, instructing him, “If he acts up, take the hammer,” which Dixon understood as a command to use a firearm. Though no violence occurred, Dixon says the order was treated as mandatory.
In another incident, Fat Joe allegedly instructed Dixon and others to attack Young Money president Mack Maine after he made a crude remark about Fat Joe’s wife. Dixon says the directive was clear: attack Mack, Maine, on sight.
The complaint also references a deadly episode in Miami where Fat Joe allegedly ordered two teenagers to attack a man.
The man, acting in self-defense, fatally shot both teens. Dixon claims their deaths were a direct result of Fat Joe’s coercive leadership style.
