Detroit Man Wins $100 Million Judgment Against Sean “Diddy” Combs In Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Detroit Man Wins $100 Million Judgment Against Sean “Diddy” Combs In Sexual Assault Lawsuit
A Detroit man has won a $100 million judgment against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs after the rapper failed to appear in court to defend against a sexual assault lawsuit.
Diddy’s Legal Team Responds
A Michigan judge has ordered Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to pay $100 million in a default judgment after the rapper failed to appear at a court hearing on Monday. The decision was made by Lenawee County Circuit Court Judge Anna Marie Anzalone in favor of plaintiff Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, 51, a Michigan inmate who filed a lawsuit against Combs earlier this year.
Diddy Ordered to Pay $100 Million
The lawsuit, initially filed by Cardello-Smith on June 10, alleged that Combs had drugged and sexually assaulted him at a Detroit-area party in 1997. According to court documents, the inmate claimed to have met Combs while working as a restaurant and hospitality employee in Detroit.
On August 7, when Combs failed to appear at a hearing, the court granted Cardello-Smith a temporary restraining order. Now, after another no-show from Combs, the judge has ruled in favor of the plaintiff, ordering the rapper to pay $100 million in damages.
Diddy’s Legal Team Fires Back
Despite the court’s ruling, Combs’ legal team is preparing to have the judgment dismissed, calling the lawsuit fraudulent.
“This man is a convicted felon and sexual predator, who has been sentenced on 14 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping over the last 26 years,” said Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney, in a statement. “His resume now includes committing a fraud on the court from prison, as Mr. Combs has never heard of him let alone been served with any lawsuit.”
Agnifilo further emphasized that Combs plans to fight the judgment. “Mr. Combs looks forward to having this judgment swiftly dismissed,” he added.
The Allegations Against Diddy
According to Cardello-Smith, the alleged incident with Combs took place at a party in the Detroit area in 1997. The plaintiff claimed that the music mogul offered him $2.3 million to drop the lawsuit, producing visitation records for the Detroit Metro Times as evidence that Combs had visited him in prison.
Cardello-Smith’s accusations come amid a growing number of legal claims against Combs, including multiple allegations of sexual assault.
Diddy’s Mounting Legal Battles
The default judgment is the latest in a string of legal troubles for the music producer, who has faced a wave of sexual assault allegations in recent months. In November 2023, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie, legally known as Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit accusing him of “violent behavior and disturbed demands” over the course of their decade-long relationship. The two settled the case out of court just a day after the lawsuit was filed.
Following Cassie’s allegations, three additional women came forward with claims against Combs under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which expired in December.
In February, music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones also filed a lawsuit against Diddy, accusing him of coercing him into performing sexual acts with prostitutes. That lawsuit was reported by All About The Tea.
HSI Raids and Further Allegations
In March, Diddy’s homes were raided by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as part of a federal human trafficking investigation. Since the raids, Combs has been hit with even more allegations of sexual misconduct.
In May, a lawsuit was filed by Crystal McKinney, who claimed she was assaulted in Diddy’s recording studio after a 2003 dinner with the music mogul and an unnamed fashion designer. Just two months later, a former adult film star sued Diddy, accusing him of grooming her into sex trafficking during his Labor Day White Party.
Despite the mounting allegations, Combs has consistently denied all claims of sexual assault.
What’s Next for Diddy?
While Combs’ legal team plans to challenge the $100 million default judgment, the ongoing legal battles show no signs of slowing down. As more lawsuits and allegations surface, the music mogul’s reputation faces continued scrutiny.
With multiple cases still pending, including those related to the federal investigation and other sexual assault claims, Diddy’s legal troubles are far from over.
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