Azealia Banks Seeks Restraining Order Against Former Manager, Alleges Years of Control, Surveillance & Abuse

Rapper Azealia Banks has filed for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) against her former manager and record label executive, Jeffery Evan Kwatinetz, accusing him of years of coercive control, financial exploitation, surveillance and emotional abuse.

According to court documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 27, 2026, Banks alleges that she and Kwatinetz were not only professionally connected as artist and manager but were also involved in a prior romantic relationship. The filing also references ongoing civil litigation between the two that dates back to 2021.

In a detailed declaration submitted to the court, Banks claims Kwatinetz exercised control over both her personal life and music career for more than a decade. She alleges he simultaneously acted as her manager, record label executive and distributor while controlling her finances, withholding accounting information and attempting to use new recording agreements to maintain influence over her career.

Banks also claims the boundaries between their personal and professional relationship became blurred, alleging Kwatinetz monitored her personal relationships and tied business decisions to their romantic involvement.

One of the most serious allegations in the filing involves a life insurance policy. Banks claims she was intoxicated when she signed paperwork for a policy on her own life and says she does not know whether it remains active, who owns it or who would receive any benefits. She argues the uncertainty has left her fearing for her personal safety.

The petition also alleges Kwatinetz hired a private security firm in 2020 to investigate her whereabouts. According to Banks, the report included her address, contact information, physical description and aerial images of her residence. She says she never authorized the investigation and believes it contributed to ongoing feelings of being monitored.

Banks further alleges that while Kwatinetz publicly portrayed her in a negative light, he was privately attempting to negotiate business deals and contract extensions that would have financially benefited him. She contends this conduct amounts to psychological abuse and coercive control under California’s Domestic Violence Prevention Act.

As part of her request, Banks is asking the court to issue a restraining order prohibiting Kwatinetz from contacting or surveilling her, require disclosure of any life insurance policy in her name, keep her home address confidential, allow her to appear remotely in court proceedings and order Kwatinetz to remain at least 100 yards away from her, her home, workplace, performances and recording studios. She is also seeking a restraining order lasting up to five years.

The allegations outlined in the petition are claims made by Banks. As of now, Kwatinetz has not publicly responded to the filing, and the court has not ruled on the merits of the allegations.