Rapper 50 Cent loses sex tape lawsuit

Rapper 50 Cent is facing a multi-million dollar damages bill after a jury found in favor of Lastonia Leviston, who sued the star for invasion of privacy after he leaked a sex tape that she starred in.

The Get Rich or Die Tryin' hitmaker posted a 13-minute video online in 2009, in which he crudely commentated on Leviston's private sex tape that she made with her boyfriend, calling her a "porn star" while he wore a wig and called himself Pimpin' Curly.

The bizarre video was supposedly a ploy for publicity, and also to attack his rap rival Rick Ross, who has a daughter with Leviston, but 50 Cent claimed that he was "just joking" during pre-trial questioning that was played for the jury.

He insisted he obtained the video from Leviston's boyfriend - who also starred in the tape - and alleged he was told he had permission to post it online, but after deliberating for just over an hour, the jurors found in favor of Leviston.

She has been awarded $2.5 million in damages for having her image used without her permission, and $2.5 million for intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to TMZ.com.

The jury is set to continue deliberating next week (beg13July15) on possible punitive damages, which could add even more millions to the rapper's legal bill.

The star's lawyer, William A. Brewer III, said he was "disappointed" with the verdict, while Leviston's lawyer refused to comment.