Shia LaBeouf Has Been 'Nonresponsive' Ahead of Abuse Trial, FKA twigs' Lawyers Claim: 'It Appears' He 'Has Something to Hide'
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Shia-LaBeouf-and-FKA-Twigs-102124-82305539c1c648b5933e0707565e1c84.jpg)
10/21/2024 11:19 PM
The singer previously filed a lawsuit against her ex accusing him of "relentless" sexual, physical and emotional abuse
Mike Marsland/WireImage; Karwai Tang/WireImage
Shia LaBeouf; FKA twigsFKA twigs is accusing her ex Shia LaBeouf of delaying the deposition process ahead of his sexual and physical abuse trial.
On Monday, Oct. 21, PEOPLE reviewed documents filed in California Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 18 by attorneys for the English singer-songwriter, 36.
Attorneys for FKA twigs claim in the court papers the Transformers actor, 38, is an "abuser" who "abuses his basic discovery obligations in this litigation." They claimed he "has been egregiously evasive and nonresponsive," producing "only nine pages" of evidence.
"It appears that LaBeouf has something to hide, as LaBeouf has suspiciously claimed he no longer has any other responsive documents in his possession or control, as he lost or misplaced his electronic devices, or destroyed relevant information prior to the initiation of this action," the filing states.
Related: FKA Twigs Slams Shia LaBeouf's Requests for Her 'Highly Private Information' Ahead of Trial
Meanwhile, FKA twigs' attorneys say she "has produced voluminous responsive documents and substantive written responses."
Additionally, LaBeouf is accused of waiting until "the eleventh hour" and "inexplicably refuses to be deposed first, despite entering into multiple agreements between counsel that both parties would be deposed within the same week, and that LaBeouf's deposition would take place first."
Jason Mendez/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
FKA twigs, August 2024The Caprisongs artist adds that as a "a resident of the United Kingdom, scheduling an in-person deposition in California takes significant advance planning and is highly disruptive."
"LaBeouf's counsel was aware of this fact," FKA twigs' attorneys wrote in the filing.
"Plaintiff's counsel informed LaBeouf's counsel that it would take additional scheduling to have the in-person depositions occur within the same week due to Plaintiff's residing overseas, but that Plaintiff would agree, in exchange for an agreement that LaBeouf be deposed first. An agreement was reached between counsel," the filing reads.
Related: Inside Shia LaBeouf's Turbulent Relationship History as FKA Twigs Accuses Him of Sexual Abuse
LaBeouf's attorney, Shawn Holley, tells PEOPLE, "This dispute concerns whose deposition is to proceed first and nothing more. Ms. Barnett's counsels' attempt to turn a very simple issue into something sinister is unfortunate."
Attorneys for FKA twigs tell PEOPLE, "As stated in our papers, Shia LaBeouf has not only mistreated my client, but continues to abuse the discovery process in this litigation. What does he have to hide? We are seeking the courts intervention to stop his nonsense."
The deposition is now rescheduled for Oct. 25, per the court filing.
Melodie Jeng/GC Images
Shia LaBeouf and FKA twigs, September 2018LaBeouf and FKA twigs began dating after she was cast in his film Honey Boy in 2018, but had broken up by spring of 2019.
In December 2020, she filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court accusing him of "relentless" sexual, physical and emotional abuse. She also claimed he knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
"What I went through with Shia was the worst thing I've ever been through in the whole of my life," she told The New York Times.
"I have no excuses for my alcoholism or aggression, only rationalizations. I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years," LaBeouf subsequently wrote to The Times. "I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I'm ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt. There is nothing else I can really say."
However, he later denied "each and every" assault allegation made by the "cellophane" singer, and sought to have her cover his court fees.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
