In a week’s time, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ luck has worked its wonders as the disgraced rapper’s ongoing hefty legal battle just got a bit lighter.
US District Judge Lewis J Liman tossed a Jane Doe vs Comb lawsuit on Monday. Diddy’s latest legal victory of-sorts comes a week after a New York judge dismissed the majority — five of nine — of counts against the disgraced hip hop mogul in a $30 million sexual assault lawsuit filed by former music producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones. Accusations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) violations and sexual assault and liability claims still stand.
Court rejects Diddy accuser’s plea to remain anonymous: Lawsuit dismissed
The March 31 decision came out after Diddy’s accuser declined to reveal her identity. According to October filings, the woman formally levelled sexual assault allegations against Combs under the alias “Jane Doe.” In January, she pushed for a motion, requesting the court that she be allowed to remain anonymous throughout the proceedings. She is represented by the now-popular Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee waging a legal war against Diddy.
As Doe’s request was rejected, the court gave her time until March 20 to refiled the case under real name. However, she denied doing so. Ultimately, the Diddy lawsuit was dropped, with Buzbee issuing a statement on behalf of the plaintiff and other accusers he’s backing in the legal tussle against the “Bad Boy for Life” singer.
Diddy vs Tony Buzbee continues
“In this particular case, Jane Doe opted not to proceed. There is a lot of fear amongst these plaintiffs. I thus can’t blame her. These are tough cases and they are many times re-traumatizing for those who pursue them. Each case stands on its own merit. This woman chose not to proceed and subject herself to the media circus and the perceived danger she felt. We have to respect that,” said Tony Buzbee.
Additionally, Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil recently issued an Order to Show Cause against Jane Doe’s local counsel Antigone Curis, who submitted an affidavit suggesting Tony Buzbee had never been denied admission to any court, per The Mirror US. An order showing that the Southern District of New York turned down his application was filed simultaneously.
Diddy denies allegations again
On the flip side, Diddy’s legal team released their own statement, noting that it was the second case to be dismissed that Buzbee and the local counsel brought against rapper Diddy. Warning that it wouldn’t be the last, they added, “For months, we have seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by attorneys more focused on media headlines than legal merit. The other claims, like the one dismissed today, also will not hold up in a court of law.”
Diddy still faces 40 lawsuits amid his ongoing sex trafficking case as he awaits his May trial behind bars. Another recent development on the legal front shed light on a lawsuit filed by a photographer last week. He alleged that the Revolt founder forced him to perform oral sex and other acts, threatening his career if he failed to do so. Once again, Diddy denied all allegations associated with the suit.