Judge criticizes defense lawyer in Fat Joe defamation case

Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis has criticized the defense team for a lack of professionalism in the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by rapper Fat Joe, whose real name is Joe Cartagena.

The lawsuit, filed in 2025, names former hype man Terrance Dixon and attorney Tyrone Blackburn. Cartagena alleges that Dixon attempted to extort him and disseminated unproven claims regarding the veteran artist.

Judge Willis issued her critique after attorney Tyrone Blackburn requested an extension to refile a motion to withdraw legal representation for Dixon. Blackburn cited a need to obtain a hard drive as the reason for missing a previous deadline from July. In her response, the judge granted the extension but stated, “The Court is appalled at the lack of professionalism and diligence displayed,” adding that technological issues do not justify missing court deadlines without timely requests for extensions.