Kim Kardashian & Kris Jenner suing Ray J for defamation

When your ex starts claiming you’re a mob boss: a modern family feud

If you thought the Kardashians drama peaked when someone double-texted about the Skims drop, think again. Kim Kardashian and her mum (yes, Kris Jenner is in on this) are suing Ray J. Yes, that Ray J who was on the original sex tape with Kim K! They’re suing him for defamation, after he allegedly went full “feds are coming” in a livestream and documentary. He accused them of being under federal racketeering investigation.

It’s like a soap opera, but with more legal briefs and fewer commercials.

According to the lawsuit, Ray J claimed in a TMZ special in May and then again in a livestream in late September — the Kardashians were about to be indicted under a federal RICO case. RICO is a US federal law that combats racketeering and corruption from organised crime.

“The federal RICO I’m about to drop on Kris and Kim is about to be crazy,” he said.

The Kardashian-Jenner legal team insists there’s no such investigation. They claim no law enforcement agency has launched anything like it and Ray J offered zero credible evidence.

So basically Ray J may have dropped some heavy allegations, but forgot to bring proof to the party.

Kris and Kim are not messing around. This is the first time they have ever filed a defamation suit.

The Kardashian-Jenner lawyer claims Ray J has waged a long campaign of defamation and harassment, apparently spurred by frustrations over their old relationship.

The Kardashian-Jenner lawyers say Ray J’s statements are “blatantly false” and made with “reckless disregard for the truth.” Of course their legal team said that. You’d expect nothing less.

So yeah — this isn’t just a social media clapback. They want the courts involved, which means we might see depositions, drama, receipts and the whole lot.

Of course you can’t talk Ray J and Kim Kardashian without referencing the infamous sex tape that launched her career. That tape (leaked in 2007 but filmed earlier) is the turning point in Kardashian fame. Without it, she never would be the international celebrity she is today. So no wonder she needs to protect her reputation.

Some people have suggested Ray J has long felt overshadowed by Kim since the sex tape was released. Some claim he tries to stay relevant by aligning himself to (or attacking) the Kardashians’ name. Whether that’s true or juicy speculation remains to be seen in court.

So where to from here?

• There will be pre-trial motions: do Kim and Kris even have grounds for defamation or can Ray J’s comments be defended as opinion or free speech?
• Discovery means both sides will demand documents, texts, memos — expect some skeletons to rattle
• If it gets to trial, witnesses will be cross-examined, statements dissected and this trial will be very public
• Meanwhile, social media will be aflame with memes, takes and people choosing sides like footy allegiances

This case is a reminder that in the modern era, claiming someone is under federal investigation is a serious allegation. It can backfire heavily if you can’t back up what you’re alleging.