Judge dismisses five Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs charges in sexual assault lawsuit
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Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs has had five charges against him dismissed. In an order filed on March 24th, Judge J Paul Oetken granted and denied parts of Combs’ August 2024 motion to dismiss a case in which Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones alleged sexual assault.
The producer behind six songs on Combs’ Grammy-nominated The Love Album: Off the Grid filed the lawsuit for $30 million. He claimed Combs acquired, used and distributed ecstasy, cocaine and other illicit drugs; displayed illegal firearms and laced alcoholic beverages provided to minors and sex workers at his homes.
According to Variety, the judge dismissed the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charge, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims, breach of contract, and Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) claim against Combs Global.
However, the TVPA claims against Combs and his chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, were granted. The judge also declined to dismiss sexual assault and liability claims.
The order strongly disapproved of Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, describing his conduct as “unsettling.” The motion said his filings “are replete with inaccurate statements of law, conclusory accusations and inappropriate ad hominem attacks on opposing counsel.”
The judge added that Blackburn’s opposition brief and complaint were full of “irrelevant insults, misstatements and exaggerations” and warned that any further conduct could lead to sanctions. In a statement following the verdict, Blackburn said, “A win is a win. Play time is over. Now, it is time for discovery.”
Combs is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation for purposes of prostitution following his arrest in September. His trial is set to begin on May 5th after being denied bail three times.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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