DMX order to pay $1.5M in damages

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) - January 16, 2008 DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was sued by Monique Wayne for defamation of character after he allegedly told a magazine that Wayne raped him during a 2003 hotel stay in Baltimore, leading to her pregnancy.

Wayne responded to the comments by filing a $6 million lawsuit against Simmons in Prince George's County Circuit Court in October 2006.

Judge Thomas Smith ruled in Wayne's favor Friday when Simmons didn't appear at the scheduled court hearing. He ordering Simmons to pay Wayne $518,400 in compensation and $1 million in punitive penalties, according to Wayne's lawyer, Stephanie Moran.

"The judgment of the court speaks to the outrageousness of what Mr. Simmons said about Miss Wayne and that such false statements will not be tolerated," Moran said.

A lawyer for Simmons didn't return calls Tuesday seeking comment.

Besides his top-selling records, Simmons has acted in films including "Never Die Alone," "Romeo Must Die" and "Cradle 2 the Grave."