Scene Setters
• A federal judge ended a nearly decade-old $20 million civil case against Katt Williams after ruling the plaintiffs missed Georgia’s service deadline.
• The women served Williams 22 days too late despite multiple warnings from the court about timing.
• The dismissal shuts down the lawsuit permanently unless the plaintiffs pursue an appeal.
By Samuel Lopez | USA Herald
Katt Williams just secured one of the most consequential courtroom wins of his career. A federal judge dismissed the long-running $20 million lawsuit accusing the comedian of assaulting four women outside an Atlanta nightclub in 2016, finding the claims time-barred because the plaintiffs waited too long to serve him. The ruling not only ends a case that has shadowed Williams for years but also underscores how rigid service deadlines are under Georgia law—even when the defendant is a public figure with security and travel demands.
According to court records, the lawsuit arose from a February 28, 2016 confrontation outside Lounge 360 in Midtown Atlanta. The plaintiffs—Selena Boston, Jalisa Rhodes, Lutisha Martinez, and Lanette Washington—alleged that Williams agreed to pose for photos but suddenly became aggressive, tackling Boston to the ground and striking her while associates assaulted the others. They accused Williams of punching and kicking, throwing their belongings into the street, flashing gang signs, and even pointing a firearm. The women filed claims for assault, battery, false imprisonment, slander, and emotional distress.
