Lil Wayne's ex-driver plans to challenge lawsuit dismissal, attorney says
A Georgia judge dismissed claims against Young Thug and Birdman, but Alvin Lewis's case against two other defendants continues.
Young Thug and Birdman won dismissal from a lawsuit brought by Lil Wayne's former tour bus driver in connection with a shooting in 2015, though the driver's attorney said Wednesday they plan to appeal.
The driver, Alvin Lewis, alleged that Jimmy Winfrey shot at Lil Wayne's tour bus on the orders of both rappers. The drive-by attack took place on the I-285 freeway after Lil Wayne performed at The Compound club in Atlanta.
Georgia Judge Eric A. Brewton dismissed every claim against Young Thug, his label YSL, Birdman and Cash Money Records in two orders issued Tuesday and obtained by Billboard. Young Thug's legal name is Jeffrey Williams, while Birdman's is Bryan Williams.
In the orders, Brewton found "no evidence of an employment relationship" between Winfrey and either YSL or Cash Money. Although Lewis's suit described Winfrey as Young Thug's tour manager in 2015, Brewton found no evidence to support that assertion.
Brewton rejected Lewis's motive theory. Lewis alleged that Birdman arranged the shooting in retaliation for Lil Wayne's lawsuit against Cash Money that year, but Brewton called the theory "pure speculation and conjecture."
Court records show Lewis obtained evidence that calls were placed between Winfrey's and Birdman's phones during 2015, including on the night of the shooting. Brewton said the records did not establish "who made what calls, whether any calls were picked up and by whom, whether any conversation was had, or the content of any conversation."
Both rappers say they had no role in the shooting. Representatives for Young Thug and Birdman did not return Billboard's requests for comment.
Jeff Gewirtz, Lewis's attorney, told Billboard that they plan to appeal. It was not immediately known where or when they would file it.
Lewis continues to seek emotional damages in civil claims against Winfrey and Arnold Martinez, who is known as YSL Duke.
Winfrey, a rapper also known as Peewee Roscoe, pleaded guilty to the shooting in 2015, but an appellate court later vacated the plea after finding it involuntary.
In a separate case, Winfrey pleaded guilty in 2024 as part of the YSL racketeering prosecution in Atlanta, which cited the shooting among several violent acts allegedly linked to Young Thug's label. Young Thug ultimately went free in that case.
A court conference on possible trial logistics for Lewis's remaining claims is scheduled for February.
