Kevin Hart's Infamous Sex-Tape Partner Montia Sabbag Pulled Back Into Legal War

Kevin Hart's 2017 sex-tape scandal is once again casting a shadow over his legal affairs, as Montia Sabbag is being lined up to potentially give evidence in his ongoing court battle with former assistant, Miesha Shakes.

According to court documents reported by TMZ, Shakes wants to question Sabbag about the 2017 incident and the subsequent investigation. Sabbag has not been ordered to appear, so her involvement will depend on how the case progresses.

Sabbag Could Be Asked About 2017 Scandal

Sabbag became publicly linked to Hart after a private encounter between the pair in Las Vegas was secretly recorded in 2017. The episode was followed by an extortion investigation and a criminal case involving Hart's former friend Jonathan 'J.T.' Jackson.

Sabbag later filed a $60 million (approximately £45.5 million) lawsuit against Hart and others, alleging that their sexual encounter had been recorded without her knowledge or consent. Hart denied wrongdoing.

The case was initially dismissed in federal court, then refiled in Los Angeles Superior Court, where a judge allowed most of Sabbag's claims to proceed before the lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice in June 2023. A later attempt to have the case reinstated was denied in February 2024.

Shakes now wants Sabbag to testify in her dispute with Hart. TMZ reported that the former assistant intends to ask Sabbag about the original controversy and the investigation surrounding it.

Shakes has also indicated that she plans to testify herself and wants Hart to take the witness stand, meaning several figures connected to the long-running saga could face questions in court.

Why Shakes Wants Sabbag Involved

Hart sued Shakes after she gave an interview discussing his personal life and alleged matters connected to the comedian. His claims include an alleged breach of a non-disclosure agreement, while Shakes has challenged the agreement and argued that Hart failed to fulfil obligations she says were part of the deal.

'Shakes shall not directly or indirectly disclose, exploit or disseminate Confidential Information to any person or entity whatsoever, including but not limited to friends, family members, journalists, tabloids, television or radio programs, websites, or internet social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, etc.) ... or threaten to do so,' the NDA stated, according to court documents.

Court records show the dispute has involved allegations concerning Hart's private affairs and the 2017 scandal.

A November 2024 Los Angeles Superior Court ruling allowed Hart's breach-of-contract claim against Shakes to proceed past her anti-SLAPP challenge, finding that the claim had 'minimal merit' at that stage.

The judge noted conflicting accounts over whether Hart had fulfilled his obligations under the NDA, including Shakes' allegation that she had not received promised health insurance. The ruling did not determine that Shakes had breached the agreement.

The Sex-Tape Dispute Has Followed Hart

The 2017 incident has continued to feature in other legal proceedings. Jackson, who was previously charged in connection with allegations that he attempted to extort Hart over the recording, later sued the comedian for more than $12 million (roughly £9.10 million).

Jackson alleges Hart breached a 2021 settlement agreement that required him to publicly exonerate Jackson in connection with the sex-tape controversy. Jackson's lawsuit also challenges Hart's portrayal of the episode in his 2019 Netflix documentary.

Hart's account of the incident has also appeared in later court filings. In a 2024 legal dispute, documents included his description of the night and his allegations about how the recording came to exist. Those claims have been contested in litigation, so they remain allegations rather than established findings.

For now, Sabbag's appearance is being sought by Shakes, but there is no indication in the latest reporting that a judge has ordered her to testify. If she is ultimately called, questioning could bring renewed attention to events that have remained linked to Hart's legal disputes for years.