Tory Lanez has asked a federal court to shield him from further involvement in the defamation lawsuit Megan Thee Stallion filed against commentator Milagro Gramz. Megan contends that Gramz spread falsehoods about the 2020 shooting that led to Lanez’s conviction. The case has drawn national attention as it unfolds in California.
On September 24, Lanez’s attorneys filed a motion for a protective order. They argued that his participation would place an undue burden on him. The filing stated, “Daystar Peterson (‘Mr. Peterson’), by counsel, respectfully moves for a Protective Order under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c).” His legal team stressed that Lanez is a non-party in Pete v. Cooper (No. 1:24-cv-24228, Southern District of Florida). They warned that further testimony could prejudice his pending criminal appeal while raising constitutional concerns over his rights.
The motion added, “For the foregoing reasons, Mr. Peterson respectfully requests that the Court grant his Motion for Protective Order, barring improper non-party deposition or, alternatively, limiting discovery consistent with the Federal Rules, Ninth Circuit precedent, and constitutional protections.”
Lanez’s lawyers also argued that others named in the case—including DJ Akademiks and Caesar McDowell—did not face the same level of scrutiny during their depositions. That, they suggested, pointed to unequal treatment. The decision on Lanez’s request now rests with the court.
Expanding Legal Battle
Megan Thee Stallion’s defamation suit has widened its reach. DJ Akademiks has been ordered to testify and to reveal the source of a leaked DNA report tied to the case. Adin Ross, another online personality, attempted to avoid a deposition but has so far been unsuccessful.
Lanez’s own legal issues remain close at hand. Last August, a judge ordered him to sit for a second deposition. His first appearance was described as uncooperative and disrespectful toward Megan’s attorneys.
Taken together, the lawsuit and Lanez’s appeal highlight the increasingly blurred line between criminal accountability, media influence, and celebrity culture. As the court considers his motion for protection, the outcome carries implications for both the artists involved and the wider industry watching from the sidelines.