Current:Home > MarketsSean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit -ProfitClass
Sean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit
View
Date:2025-04-14 07:03:14
Sean "Diddy" Combs is firing back.
On Friday, Diddy's legal team filed a motion to dismiss some of the claims from a lawsuit filed by Joi Dickerson-Neal in November, accusing the music mogul of drugging and raping her as a then-college student in 1991.
His legal team is arguing that some of the claims were brought under laws that didn't exist and against companies that were not formed at the time of the alleged incident, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.
USA TODAY has reached out to Dickerson-Neal's lawyers for comment.
Dickerson-Neal filed her complaint in November in Manhattan Supreme Court, a day before the New York State Adult Survivors Act expiration date, and alleged she was drugged, sexually assaulted and abused by Combs, and was the victim of "revenge porn," according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY.
Diddy's lawyer, Jonathan D. Davis, argues the ASA does not permit Dickerson-Neal to "revive claims under statutes that did not exist," including her claims of sex trafficking and revenge porn.
The new filing later states that Bad Boy Entertainment, Bad Boy Records and Combs Enterprises — also listed as defendants in the suit — didn't exist when the incident allegedly occurred and "no allegations of wrongdoing are pled against them," concluding that Dickerson-Neal's claims against the companies "fail as a matter of law."
Sean 'Diddy' Combsaccused of 1991 sexual assault of college student in lawsuit
Combs has denied Dickerson-Neal's allegations, claiming the incident was made up and a "money grab."
While on a school break for the holidays in January 1991, Dickerson-Neal − who was a college student at Syracuse University at the time − "reluctantly agreed" to dinner with Combs, the suit said. "During their date, Combs had intentionally drugged (Dickerson-Neal), resulting in her being in a physical state where she could not independently stand or walk," the suit alleges. Combs allegedly spiked her drink when Dickerson-Neal left it unattended to use the restroom, the suit read.
In Dickerson-Neal's filing last year, she claimed Combs videotaped the 1991 assault and distributed the tape to others in the music industry. This caused "severe harm to Ms. Dickerson-Neal's reputation, career prospects, and emotional well-being," Dickerson-Neal's attorney, Jonathan Goldhirsch, said in a news release sent to USA TODAY at the time.
Dickerson has demanded a trial by jury.
Diddy's houseswere raided by law enforcement: What does this mean for the music mogul?
Diddy is being investigated by multiple agencies for alleged sex trafficking and sexual assault. Homeland Security Investigations agents raided Combs' Los Angeles home last month, according to Rolling Stone and local Los Angeles news station Fox 11. Agents also searched Combs' Miami residence, Rolling Stone, NBC News and The Associated Press reported.
The Bad Boy Records founder is facing multiple lawsuits filed in recent months claiming the music mogul raped or sexually assaulted several alleged victims over the past few decades. Combs has denied all accusations against him.
Contributing: Pamela Avila and Naledi Ushe
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.
veryGood! (86683)
Related
- FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
- Expelled Yale student sues women’s groups for calling him a rapist despite his acquittal in court
- 30 quotes about kindness to uplift and spread positivity
- Mall guard tells jurors he would not have joined confrontation that led to man’s death
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- 7-year-old found safe after boat capsizes on fishing trip; her 2 grandfathers found dead
- Hacker tried to dodge child support by breaking into registry to fake his death, prosecutors say
- Montana becomes 8th state with ballot measure seeking to protect abortion rights
- Olympic disqualification of gold medal hopeful exposes 'dark side' of women's wrestling
- Orlando Bloom and Son Flynn, 13, Bond in Rare Photo Together
Ranking
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Atlanta hospital accused of losing part of patient's skull following brain surgery: Lawsuit
- Missouri man makes life-or-death effort to prove innocence before execution scheduled for next month
- Coach Steve Kerr endorses Kamala Harris for President, tells Donald Trump 'night night'
- 2024 Olympics: Gymnast Ana Barbosu Taking Social Media Break After Scoring Controversy
- Gayle King dishes on her SI Swimsuit cover, how bestie Oprah accommodates her needs
- Bit Treasury Exchange: How Should the Crypto-Rich Spend Their Money?
- James Taylor addresses scrapped performance at DNC 2024: 'Sorry to disappoint'
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
This Country Voted to Keep Oil in the Ground. Will It Happen?
Is Ford going to introduce a 4-door Mustang? Dealers got a preview of the concept
Don’t Miss These Free People Deals Under $50 - Snag Boho Chic Styles Starting at $19 & Save Up to 65%
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
'Major catastrophe': Watch as road collapses into giant sinkhole amid Northeast flooding
Arkansas county agrees to $3 million settlement over detainee’s 2021 death in jail
Fans pile into final Wembley Stadium show hoping Taylor Swift will announce 'Reputation'