A legal battle that once exposed Busta Rhymes to millions of dollars in claimed damages is close to ending for a fraction of that amount. New court papers show the rapper has agreed to pay former assistant Dashiel Gables $25,000 to resolve their competing lawsuits over wages and alleged workplace misconduct. The agreement still requires a federal judge to approve the portion involving Gables’ wage claims before the case can formally close.
According to AllHipHop, the settlement calls for two $12,500 payments. One will be treated as wages, while the second covers the remaining claims resolved through the agreement. Busta, whose legal name is Trevor Smith Jr., signed the deal alongside Starbus LLC and Conglomerate Entertainment. Neither side is admitting wrongdoing. Once the payment is completed, Gables must permanently dismiss his case and relinquish the claims he brought against his former employer.
Initially, Gables sought roughly $6 million after accusing Busta of unpaid wages and abusive treatment during his brief employment. Gables said he worked as the rapper’s personal assistant from summer 2024 until January 2025, often putting in 15- to 18-hour days while earning a flat $200 daily rate. His federal complaint alleged that he was not properly compensated for overtime.
Read More: Busta Rhymes Settles Assault Lawsuit With Ex-Assistant
Allegations Of Violence
Moreover, Gables's lawsuit also centered on an alleged January 10, 2025 confrontation in Brooklyn. Gables claimed Busta punched him after an argument involving work duties and his cellphone. He said he sought medical treatment afterward and reported the encounter to police. Busta reportedly later turned himself in and received a desk appearance ticket for misdemeanor assault, attempted assault and harassment. He has consistently denied Gables’ allegations, calling them fabricated by a former employee angry about losing his job.
Busta eventually took legal action of his own. His countersuit accused Gables of spreading false claims that damaged his reputation and cost him business opportunities. Busta maintained that his former assistant knew the accusations were false or acted recklessly in making them public. The two sides reached a settlement through mediation earlier this year, but the financial terms were not disclosed until the newer filing.
The agreement also requires Gables to return private work materials connected to his employment. Court approval remains the final step for the wages. If the judge signs off and the payments are made, both sides can dismiss their claims without a trial to decide whose allegations were true.
