Matt Barnes Shells Out $61K to Silence Woman, Who Then Leverages AI for Extra Cash

Former NBA athlete and media figure Matt Barnes has intensified his public defense against accusations of infidelity, disclosing alarming allegations that he fell victim to a calculated extortion scheme involving artificial intelligence. He identified the alleged aggressor as a woman known as “Zany,” and has confirmed plans to sue the well-known blogger Tasha K for defamation. Barnes claimed that “Zany” utilized AI technology to alter his voice, asserting that she generated deepfake audio, video, and text messages to fabricate false narratives against him. Initially, he attempted to appease the blackmailer, having paid $60,000 to suppress the fraudulent material and quell the threats. Nonetheless, Barnes indicated that the extortion efforts continued. The controversy surfaced publicly after being allegedly amplified by Tasha K (Latasha Kebe). Barnes is now pursuing legal recourse against her for defamation and propagating the purported falsehoods. His legal actions underscore the profound implications of AI misuse and the pressing need to address unverified claims in today’s digital landscape.