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More information on Dana White sex tape lawsuit

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MMA Payout has obtained records from the criminal case of Joshua Ramos, the individual suing, Dana White for allegedly breaking an agreement in a sex-tape case.

The criminal complaint details the reasons why the authorities found a reason to charge Ramos with extortion.  Essentially his crime was using a cell phone to attempt to extort White.  Officially, a grand jury charged Ramos with one count of the Use of a Facility of Interstate Commerce (a cell phone) to promote extortion. 

Indictment by MMA Payout on Scribd

The transcript from Ramos’ plea agreement on November 3, 2015 detailed the charge and his agreement to one year in jail. 

Notably, the Judge indicates that the government and Ramos’ defense attorney agreed not disclose White’s name.  Ramos’ attorney did not indicate that they were taking the plea for a monetary sum.  In this passage, the Court asks Grasso about any other terms of the plea agreement. 

The maximum sentence according to congressional statute for extortion is up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000.

When pleading guilty, the Judge asks if any promises were made to force him to plead guilty.  He answers no.

The above responses are contrary to the lawsuit recently filed by Ramos against White and the UFC.

While the criminal proceeding came before the mediation in April 2016, there seemed to be an understanding that Ramos would sign a nondisclosure agreement for monetary compensation.  There’s also an inference that Ramos would plead guilty in exchange for destroying the sex-tape. 

From Ramos’ complaint:

Certainly, the reason that White and the UFC wanted to destroy it may have been twofold.  First, the UFC was attempting to sell itself and the publicity may have painted White and the company in a bad light.  Secondly, the UFC did not Ramos to sell the tape to an outlet that would publicize it.

It’s clear that after the April 2016 meeting with White where he was not satisfied with the money he received, he wanted to change his plea.  With another attorney Ramos attempted to do that in June 2016.  The UFC was sold to Endeavor in July 2016. 

The appearance of a new attorney at the hearing was meant to allow Grasso to withdraw and enter a new plea of not guilty.  You might infer that this was based on the meeting with White.  Ramos’ attorney explains.

In rebuttal, the government makes it clear that the sealed documents did not indicate a state-sponsored meeting. 

Payout Perspective:

The UFC and White have yet to respond to the civil lawsuit filed by Ramos but there would seem to be a lot of questions surrounding Ramos’ criminal plea and .  Was he influenced to take a guilty plea with the knowledge that he would be compensated later?  If so, does that mean that he was lying under oath?

One might infer that Ramos believed that if he was to plead guilty, there would be a payoff at the end for him. Based on the representations written in the civil lawsuit, he believed that he would be compensated handsomely for a guilty plea. When he attempted to withdraw his plea, he could not. This civil lawsuit is an attempt to get back at White. Will it work? As highlighted by the attorneys on the record, the agreement was a unique one not encountered before. MMA Payout will continue to follow.

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