A significant settlement has been reached in the first wrongful death civil lawsuit against Democratic donor Ed Buck, resolving claims filed by the family of Gemmel Moore, a young Black man who died of a methamphetamine overdose in Buck’s West Hollywood apartment in 2017.
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in 2017, sought to hold Buck responsible for the exploitation and harm that ultimately led to Moore’s death. Moore’s family, with the support of their legal team and community advocates, has tirelessly fought to seek justice for Gemmel and to amplify the voices of other victims whose lives were similarly impacted by Buck’s actions.
Statement from Attorney Nana Gyamfi on Behalf of LaTisha Nixon, Mother of Gemmel Moore:
“Gemmel’s mother Ms. Nixon is relieved that this chapter in her fight for justice for Gemmel has reached a resolution,” said attorney Nana Gyamfi. “While no amount of money can ever bring her son back, this settlement is a recognition of the tragedy and the injustice of Gemmel’s death. It’s also a testament to Ms. Nixon’s courage and persistence in fighting for her son’s memory, even when the odds were stacked against her. We remain dedicated to advocating for the countless other survivors who have endured the harms of Ed Buck and we will continue to fight to dismantle the power dynamics that allow tragedies like this to happen.”
Ed Buck was convicted in 2021 in the crystal meth overdose deaths of Moore and Timothy Dean (2019). He was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison in 2022. Buck was convicted on nine charges–two counts of distribution of methamphetamine resulting in death, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, and two counts of enticement to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld his conviction in October.
Ms. Nixon was represented by attorneys Nana Gyamfi and Hussain Turk.
The next civil trial on behalf of a surviving victim of Ed Buck’s is scheduled for early 2025.
