Kevin Hart Challenges Witness Testimony in Assistant Lawsuit

Kevin Hart has asked a court to prevent Montia Sabbag from testifying in his legal dispute with former assistant Miesha Shakes, according to court documents reported on October 11, 2026. The case concerns allegations that Shakes violated a confidentiality agreement by discussing Hart's private life in an interview. Hart, through K.

Hart Enterprises, argues Sabbag's testimony is unrelated to the current claims and could unfairly revive a past controversy. According to reports from Yahoo Entertainment and TMZ, Shakes included Sabbag as a potential witness to discuss the 2017 recording incident and its aftermath. Hart's legal team argues that the relevant witnesses are limited to Hart, Shakes, and YouTube personality Tasha K, whose legal name is Latasha Kebe.

Hart also objected to Shakes submitting the witness list without first consulting his attorneys, according to court documents.

Shakes, who worked for Hart's company from August 2017 until October 2020, disputes the claims against her. She argues that Hart's own actions and earlier public controversies affected his reputation before she spoke about him publicly.

Hart filed the lawsuit after Shakes appeared in an interview with Tasha K that was published on December 22, 2023. According to the Los Angeles Times, Hart alleged the discussion revealed confidential information and contained false statements about his personal conduct. Hart also alleged that someone connected to the interview sought $250,000 to prevent its publication, according to TheWrap.

In November 2024, Judge Holly J. Fujie dismissed a civil extortion claim against Shakes while allowing Hart's defamation, privacy, and contract claims to continue, according to Courthouse News Service.

In a court declaration, Hart described the importance of his public image while seeking damages under the agreement.

"My livelihood depends in part on my reputation and the public's perception of me," said Kevin Hart, comedian.

Hart sought $50,000 under the agreement's damages provision in June 2026, according to TMZ. Shakes has acknowledged signing the agreement but argues it was not enforceable because Hart allegedly failed to provide promised compensation, including three years of health insurance coverage. Sabbag became involved in the dispute after a 2017 Las Vegas hotel incident involving Hart.

She filed a $60 million lawsuit in 2019 alleging she was recorded without consent, while Hart denied participating in the recording or knowing who operated the camera, according to the reports. Sabbag's lawsuit was later dismissed without a trial determining responsibility for the recording. A California state court dismissed the case without prejudice in June 2023, and a request to reinstate it was denied in February 2024, according to MyNewsLA.

The court has not ruled on whether Sabbag will be allowed to testify in Hart's lawsuit against Shakes. The dispute between Hart and his former assistant remains ongoing.