Marvin Gaye III, the eldest son of legendary singer Marvin Gaye, is facing serious allegations in a new lawsuit that accuses him of assault, battery, false imprisonment, and more.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on December 26, 2024, and obtained by Us Weekly, outlines a disturbing incident that allegedly took place in January 2023. The accuser, referred to as Jane Doe, claims she was called to Gaye’s home to mediate a dispute between him and his then-wife, Wendy.
Although Jane Doe states that her sole intention was to assist in diffusing the situation, she alleges the encounter quickly escalated into violent behavior. According to the lawsuit, Gaye, 59, physically assaulted the accuser by grabbing her arms, shaking her, and stepping on her foot. The situation reportedly grew more dangerous when Gaye retrieved a firearm, which he pointed at both the accuser and his wife, threatening to kill them.
The accuser further claims that Gaye confined her in a guestroom, physically blocking her exit and continuing to threaten harm. In the lawsuit, she describes his actions as “extreme, outrageous, and beyond the bounds of decency.” Gaye is also accused of intimidating her by tampering with her vehicle—cutting the brakes—and allegedly having his associates surveil her home.
As a result of Gaye’s alleged conduct, the accuser says she has experienced severe emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, and significant weight loss of 24 to 30 pounds. She claims that she now lives in constant fear for her safety and that of her family, even requiring security at family events. The accuser is seeking unspecified damages, attorney fees, and a court order barring Gaye from further contact or harassment.
In response to the allegations, Gaye denied any wrongdoing. “No way did that happen. It’s all bulls—. I wouldn’t do that. These are false claims,” he told Us Weekly. He also stated that he was unaware of the lawsuit and suggested that the accuser was trying to extort money from him.
This isn’t the first time Gaye has faced legal troubles. In January 2023, around the same time as the alleged incident in the lawsuit, Gaye was arrested on charges of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon. His then-wife, Wendy, filed for a temporary restraining order, claiming Gaye had used a handgun to injure her neck and caused emotional distress. Wendy alleged that Gaye physically attacked her and pointed a gun at her and a family member. Nearly two months after his arrest, Gaye filed for divorce.
Gaye, who is the adopted son of Marvin Gaye and his first wife, Anna Gordy, has faced public scrutiny in the past. His biological mother is Denise Gordy, Anna’s niece.
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