Marvin Gaye III Faces Accusations of Assault, False Imprisonment, and Intimidation in New Lawsuit
Marvin Gaye III, the adopted son of the iconic singer Marvin Gaye, finds himself entangled in legal turmoil once again. A new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on December 26, 2023, accuses him of a series of violent and threatening acts, including assault, battery, false imprisonment, and brandishing a firearm. The accuser, identified only as Jane Doe, claims the incidents occurred in January 2023 at Gaye’s residence.
According to the lawsuit, Doe was summoned to Gaye’s home to mediate a dispute between him and his then-wife, Wendy. Doe asserts that her intention was solely to de-escalate the situation. However, she alleges that Gaye’s behavior spiraled into a violent outburst, involving physical assault, verbal death threats, and the retrieval of a firearm. Doe claims Gaye pointed the gun at both her and Wendy, threatening their lives.
The lawsuit details the alleged physical assault, stating that Gaye grabbed Doe by the arms, shook her forcefully, and stepped on her foot. Furthermore, it alleges that Gaye confined Doe against her will in a guest room, physically blocking her exit and threatening harm. Doe describes Gaye’s alleged conduct as "extreme, outrageous and beyond the bounds of decency."
Beyond the immediate physical and verbal threats, the lawsuit accuses Gaye of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against Doe. This allegedly included tampering with her vehicle’s brakes and arranging for associates to surveil her home. Doe claims these actions have caused her severe emotional distress, manifesting in anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, and significant weight loss. She states she now requires security for family events and lives in constant fear for her safety and the safety of her loved ones.
Doe seeks an unspecified amount in damages and legal fees, along with a court order prohibiting Gaye from any further contact or harassment. In response to these allegations, Gaye vehemently denies the claims, labeling them as "bulls—." He maintains that the accusations are false and suggests that the accuser is attempting to extort money from him. Gaye also stated he was unaware of the lawsuit prior to being contacted for comment.
This lawsuit is not the first instance of serious allegations against Gaye. In January 2023, coinciding with the timeframe of Doe’s claims, Gaye was arrested for domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon. His then-wife, Wendy, filed a temporary restraining order following the arrest, alleging that Gaye had used a handgun and injured her neck, causing emotional distress and trauma. Wendy’s filing reportedly claimed that Gaye grabbed her by the neck, lifted her off the ground, and subsequently attacked a family member who intervened. He then allegedly pointed a handgun at both individuals, threatening to shoot them. It remains unclear whether this prior case is connected to the current lawsuit filed by Jane Doe.
Approximately two months after his arrest in the domestic violence case, Gaye filed for divorce from Wendy. Gaye is the adopted son of Marvin Gaye and his first wife, Anna Gordy. His biological mother is Denise Gordy, Anna’s niece. The current lawsuit adds another layer of complexity to the legal challenges and controversies surrounding Marvin Gaye III.
