Lawyer Tyrone A. Blackburn says he has been contacted by more than 30 “women, survivors and witnesses” regarding complaints against the couple.
At a news conference on Monday, Blackburn reiterated his statement in a press release dated Sunday that he had sought prosecutors in Georgia and California to investigate the alleged incidents. Blackburn says he has 11 customers.
The lawyer shared two letters with CNN – one addressed to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office and the other addressed to California. Six people are referenced between the two letters.
Blackburn said in a press release that there are allegations “of forced drugs, kidnapping, rape and intimidation in at least two states”. He said the allegations lasted for 15 years and that some alleged incidents in the letters involved the couple; others allegedly involved unidentified members of their inner circle.
Steve Sadow, Harrises’ lawyer, provided a statement saying “Clifford (TI) and Tameka Harris deny in the strongest possible terms these unfounded and unfounded claims.”
“We are confident that if these allegations are investigated fully and fairly, no charges will be made,” the statement said. “The Harris plead with everyone not to be fooled by these obvious attempts to manipulate the press and abuse the justice system.”
CNN did not speak to any of the alleged victims and did not corroborate their claims.
It is not clear whether the authorities have officially initiated any investigations.
Blackburn says he sent letters to state officials. The two obtained by CNN indicate that an alleged victim was in California; five were Georgia residents. All but one are referred to by nicknames.
“We can confirm receipt of the letter,” said a spokesman for the office of Georgia’s attorney general, Chris Carr, by email. “That’s all I can share right now.”
A representative of California’s attorney general, Xavier Becerra, wrote in an email: “To protect your integrity, we cannot comment on a potential or ongoing investigation.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said it could not confirm receipt of a letter.
Tameka Harris responded on her official Instagram account by reposting a photo that appeared to come from Peterson’s account of IT with Peterson’s two children.
“Wait … So you want your abuser to train your children? He was just an uncle 2 years ago,” wrote Tiny in the caption.
Peterson, a businesswoman, said on social media that after she told her story, several women approached her claiming that they had been beaten and abused by the couple.
She shared the allegations in her Instagram stories, which self-efface after 24 hours.
Without naming Peterson, Harris said he had “evidence” that some of the stories that were shared were invented to pursue “influence” – that is, to get attention.
“Women who have been victimized deserve to be heard,” said Harris, 40, in the video. “They deserve to feel comfortable, confident. They deserve to feel supported.”
On Monday, Blackburn, who also represents Peterson, gave a virtual press conference.
In his previous press release, he said that “anyone who has suffered or witnessed any type of drug, kidnapping or rape for [the couple] can contact you confidentially “and he reiterated that on Monday.
Blackburn public relations representative Erica Dumas told CNN via email that the 11 alleged victims include 10 women.
“Three are non-sexual customers,” wrote Dumas. “They are accusing TI and Tiny and their team of terrorist threats.”
Blackburn claims that the alleged victims are not known.
During the press conference, Blackburn briefly described the allegations involving six “Jane Doe” clients in Georgia and California, which he said included sexual assault, drugs and kidnapping.
Clifford Harris is from Atlanta and the couple usually spend some time in Los Angeles.
Blackburn said during the press conference that his office is “asking various law enforcement agencies to investigate”.
The publication reported having spoken to several friends and family of the alleged victims, who “said they had been informed of these episodes”. The Times said it had reviewed messages and photos in three cases that corroborated the timetable for its claims.
Blackburn said Sadow, the Harris’ lawyer, asked the names of the women and wanted some sort of agreement. “I told them that my clients want justice,” said Blackburn.
Sadow provided CNN with a statement on Monday saying the allegation that the Harris wanted to make a deal is “patently false”.
“I wondered if he would share any information, since his name was posted on Instagram as Sabrina Peterson’s lawyer.”
“Blackburn has repeatedly refused to provide the names of his accusing clients or any supporting or corroborative evidence for his unfounded allegations,” the statement said. “The Harris repeat that they are confident that if a thorough and fair investigation is conducted, no charges will be brought.”