Who is JT Jackson and why is he suing Kevin Hart? $12 million lawsuit over 2017 extortion case explored

Kevin Hart's former friend, Jonathan "JT" Jackson, has filed a $12 million lawsuit against the actor and comedian for reportedly fabricating evidence against JT. Jackson, who is also an actor and comedian, claimed that the lawsuit was filed because Hart had reportedly fabricated evidence in his 2017 extortion case.

The civil suit was filed on July 10, 2024, at the Los Angeles County Superior Court and accused Kevin Hart of breaching a contract. Page Six obtained the court documents and reported that Jonathan alleged that he and Hart had signed a “meticulously negotiated” settlement agreement in July 2021.

The agreement stated that Hart was supposed to "issue a powerful public statement proclaiming [Jackson's] innocence, but the former failed to do so. This was in regard to Hart's s*x tape controversy.

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Exploring Kevin Hart and Jonathan “JT” Jackson’s legal battle

In 2017, a leaked s*x tape showed Kevin Hart cheating on his wife, Eniko Hart, with model Montia Sabbag in Las Vegas. At the time, the model sued both Hart and JT, who was also allegedly in the same city at the time. However, Sabbag's lawsuit was eventually dismissed.

The Let Me Explain comedian also accused Jackson of filming and distributing the said tape. Kevin Hart even alleged that JT attempted to extort money from him for the same and filed an extortion case against JT. However, the charges were dropped in September 2021.

However, Jonathan Jackson is suing Hart for millions of dollars. He claims that the actor went back on his promise to issue a public apology to Jackson and help restore his reputation. JT claimed that this had caused damage to his personal and professional lives.

Jackson elaborated in the new lawsuit on what the "meticulously negotiated" settlement agreement had agreed on about Hart's public statement. Hart was reportedly supposed to go public and say that the incident had cost him a "very valuable friendship." He was also supposed to declare that all the charges against JT were dropped, that he wasn't guilty, and that he had "nothing to do with the s*x tape scandal.

However, the actor reportedly breached the contract and didn't make the statement he was supposed to. In an Instagram post uploaded in October 2021, he claimed that JT was "found not guilty." He also confirmed that the extortion charges against him were dropped.

Kevin Hart added that the incident “put a fork in the road” between him and JT and ruined their friendship, but he was willing to put everything behind them and “get back to life.”

As per Jackson’s current lawsuit, his former friend failed to clear his name “unequivocally and restore his reputation.” He claimed that this hampered his career as he has “sustained enormous difficulties in obtaining acting roles,” ever since.

“Hart’s failure to uphold the contractual obligations has negatively affected [Jackson’s] professional life and financial security,” the suit claims.

The actor also accused Hart of fabricating evidence that he claims led to his initial arrest in April 2018. Reportedly, Kevin claimed at the time that he received a blackmail email from someone demanding 20 bitcoins in exchange for preventing further leaks of the infamous tape.

However, JT has alleged that forensic experts proved that the email was concocted. He also alleged that it was neither “genuine” nor “sent on the date claimed,” making the basis for his past arrest unfounded.

Hence, the Future Man actor is now seeking $12 million in compensation, along with a trial and other related legal fees. He claimed that Kevin Hart’s alleged actions led to PTSD as well as “significant mental health” issues, and he wants him to take accountability while restoring his own reputation.

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A look at Jonathan "JT" Jackson and his career

Jonathan "JT" Jackson is a former Navy officer, professional bowler, actor, and comedian. The 47-year-old has appeared in TV series like Black Cobra (2012), Mind of Mencia (2005), Future Man (2017), and S.W.A.T. (2017), among others.

Jackson has been a regional professional bowler on the PBA Tour and has held a 200+ average score over the years. The Los Angeles native is married to actress Shela Gerome.

He became friends with Kevin Hart on the sets of a 2013 commercial for Coke Zero in which they appeared together.