Method Man Denies Assault Allegations & Says He Was Not Arrested

Method Man has denied allegations of assault at a gym in Staten Island as reported by the New York Post on Thursday (Jan. 16).

A rep for Meth — born Clifford Smith — tells Billboard: “Mr. Smith categorically denies the allegations as reported and has not been the subject of an arrest by any law enforcement agency.”

According to the New York Post, the Wu-Tang Clan rapper was recently involved in an assault at a Crunch Fitness gym. The publication’s law enforcement sources alleged that Method Man punched another man in the face seven times with a closed fist.

The Post continued to say that the victim is the ex-boyfriend of Meth’s 28-year-old daughter. The man — who allegedly dated Meth’s daughter more than a decade ago — reportedly refused medical attention at the scene.

While Method Man denied ever being arrested, The Post says a complaint was filed against the 53-year-old rapper with the New York Police Department. However, the NYPD confirmed to Billboard there was no arrest report.

Meth has run into legal trouble in the past. He pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges in 2010 and wrote a check on the spot for a $40,000 restitution payment after owing about $106,000. The Tical rapper was arrested in 2009 for failing to pay state and personal income taxes. “When he found out about the tax issue he hired someone and immediately corrected it,” Meth’s defense attorney Peter Frankel said at the time. “He took care of it quickly like the good member of our community he is.”

While he hasn’t released a studio album since 2022’s Meth Lab Season 3: The Rehab, Method Man remains in demand for features. In 2024, Method Man notched collabs with Redman, 38 Spesh, Skyzoo, Your Old Droog, Ghostface Killah, Marlon Craft and more.