Jay-Z secured a decisive courtroom victory in a paternity dispute that lasted more than ten years. A judge dismissed the case and ordered payment of roughly $120,000 in legal fees. The lawsuit centered on claims that Jay-Z fathered Rymir Satterthwaite in the early 1990s. Satterthwaite and his supporters pursued the allegation through multiple courts.
Lillie Coley, Satterthwaite’s godmother and legal guardian, led the legal efforts. She filed repeated lawsuits seeking DNA testing and financial damages. Courts consistently rejected those claims. Judges cited jurisdiction problems and a lack of legal support.
In late 2025, a California federal judge threw out a complaint filed by Coley with prejudice. That meant she could not refile the same claims. Jay-Z’s legal team then sought reimbursement for years of litigation costs.
The judge approved the request under California’s anti-SLAPP statute. That law protects individuals from lawsuits meant to harass or pressure defendants. The court ruled the claims fit that description.
The final judgment totaled nearly $119,235 in attorney fees. The ruling effectively closes the long legal saga. Jay-Z denied the paternity allegation throughout the dispute. He never submitted to a DNA test.
Satterthwaite continues to assert his claim publicly. The court ruling, however, leaves few legal options remaining.
