Splash News
Azealia Banks Cops Plea in Assault Case
Azealia Banks’ legal woes continue. On Wednesday (March 15), the “212” rapper accepted a plea deal in a case stemming from a December 2015 altercation at the Up & Down nightclub in New York.
Banks copped to third-degree assault, acknowledging that she intentionally caused physical injury to a female bouncer on the night in question.
“Did you intentionally cause physical injury to Christine Soares by biting down on her breast?” Judge Ann Scherzer asked the Harlem MC. “Yes,” replied Banks.
As part of the plea’s conditions, Banks is to complete an anger management program, continue mental health treatment, follow an order of protection, and avoid more problems with the law, according to Page Six.
If Banks meets those conditions, her assault conviction will be reduced to disorderly conduct, which is a violation and not a crime. Violating these terms, however, could lead to a year in jail.
Banks’ controversial past also played a role in this case. Assistant District Attorney Shea Donato reportedly sought to detail a 2008 incident in which the rapper allegedly injured her sister.
Donato also brought up Banks’ Russell Crowe incident. “She reported to the police that Russell Crowe was the primary aggressor in that case, however, that was quickly discredited by police and multiple eyewitness accounts,” he said.
Within the last few months, Banks has not steered away from controversy. In December, she dissed Nicki Minaj and the following month, she beefed with Rihanna over President Trump’s immigration ban.
Last month, Banks also released new music with her latest cut, “Crown.”