ASAP Relli isn’t backing down from his legal battle with ASAP Rocky.
Rolling Stone says Relli is pushing ahead with the assault and battery lawsuit, despite Rocky beating the criminal charges. On Wednesday, a judge locked in Jan. 12, 2026, for the civil trial’s start date and May 28, 2025, for the next hearing.
“We intend to continue litigating this case,” Relli’s attorney, Melissa Mikail, stated during a virtual hearing. “The standard in a criminal case is much higher than the preponderance of the evidence standard in a civil matter. We still believe that our claims have merit, and we intend on fully litigating them.”
Rocky was cleared of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm on Feb. 18 after being accused of shooting at Relli, a former ASAP Mob member. The confrontation happened in 2021, with Rocky getting arrested in April 2022. Relli then slapped Rocky with the civil lawsuit in August 2022.
Relli claimed Rocky pulled out a gun and fired during an argument, while Rocky’s defense team argued he was only carrying a prop gun for protection. His lawyer, Joe Tacopina, later accused Relli of lying under oath. Rocky consistently maintained his innocence, refusing the DA’s plea deal that would’ve landed him 180 days in jail. If found guilty, he could’ve faced up to 24 years in prison.
“My position is there’s no longer a basis for them. [Relli] testified in the criminal case as to the facts and circumstances. The jury’s acquittal speaks volumes as to how they valued that testimonial evidence,” Rocky’s civil attorney, James Sargent told the judge.
It appears Rocky isn’t interested in paying Relli off, even though that’s reportedly what he’s after. According to the publication, jurors heard that Relli demanded a $30 million settlement from Rocky to avoid another lawsuit.
Jurors also reportedly heard a recorded call where Relli told a friend he’d use the money to escape to a tropical island—and that the cash would keep him from testifying in the criminal case. Tacopina explained to jurors that this amounted to extortion.
