Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
Tyrese Gibson’s bitter divorce from ex-wife Samantha Lee Gibson is back in court—and this time, it’s not about custody or spousal support. It’s about money. Nearly half a million dollars, to be exact.
According to newly filed court documents, attorneys for Samantha Gibson are demanding that the “Fast & Furious” actor be held in criminal contempt for failing to pay a whopping $492,651.99 in legal fees. The two law firms involved—The Gleklen Law Firm and Bloom Lines Alexander—say Tyrese has repeatedly ignored court orders and allowed the debt to balloon with interest according to TMZ.
This is the fourth time Samantha’s legal team has petitioned the court to force payment. But this time, they want more than just a check—they want Tyrese jailed for up to 20 days.
Tyrese Gibson and then-wife Samantha Lee attend the premiere of Black and Blue in 2019, just a year before announcing their separation.
Tyrese and Samantha tied the knot in 2017 and welcomed their daughter, Soraya, shortly after. The marriage unraveled quickly, and by 2020, they were officially divorced. While both have moved on publicly, the financial aftermath of their split continues to haunt the actor.
The legal fees stem from Samantha’s ongoing battle to secure court-ordered payments and enforce the original divorce settlement. The court initially sided with her attorneys, granting them compensation. But Tyrese, they claim, has “blown it off” ever since.
Despite the mounting bill, court filings suggest Tyrese hasn’t made meaningful payments and instead continues to spend freely, which the law firms argue is a willful act of defiance.
Dwayne Johnson and Tyrese Gibson share a friendly moment at a red carpet premiere, putting past tensions behind them in front of flashing cameras.
Samantha has previously acknowledged on a 2023 podcast that she may have acted too quickly in ending the marriage. “I was in a place of pain and reacted emotionally,” she said at the time. But regret, her attorneys argue, doesn’t erase legal fees—and certainly doesn’t pay them.
Now, the pressure is rising for Tyrese to settle his tab. Failure to do so could land him behind bars, something that would mark yet another legal and reputational blow for the actor-musician.
Tyrese has not publicly commented on the latest motion. His camp has historically maintained that he's being unfairly targeted in post-divorce proceedings.
Why is Tyrese being threatened with jail time?
His ex-wife’s lawyers say he owes nearly $500,000 in unpaid legal fees and are asking the court to hold him in criminal contempt.
How long were Tyrese and Samantha Gibson married?
They married in 2017 and divorced in 2020. They share one daughter together.
What did Samantha Gibson say about the divorce?
In a 2023 podcast, Samantha admitted she may have rushed into the divorce but hasn't walked back her legal claims.
Can someone go to jail for not paying legal fees?
Yes—if the court finds the nonpayment to be willful defiance of a court order, they can impose jail time as a form of contempt.
