Current:Home > MySean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit -Capital Dream Guides
Sean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit
View
Date:2025-04-26 08:46:22
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! (697)
Related
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- 'Florida Joker' says Grand Theft Auto 6 character is inspired by him: 'GTA, we gotta talk'
- Can you guess the Dictionary.com 2023 word of the year? Hint: AI might get it wrong
- Bridgerton Season 3 Premiere Dates Finally Revealed
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Passengers lodge in military barracks after Amsterdam to Detroit flight is forced to land in Canada
- Voting closes in Egypt’s presidential elections, with el-Sissi almost certain to win a third term
- Japan court convicts 3 ex-servicemen in sexual assault case brought by former junior soldier
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Packed hospitals, treacherous roads, harried parents: Newborns in Gaza face steeper odds of survival
Ranking
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- No victims found after seven-story building partially collapses in Bronx
- A $44 million lottery ticket, a Sunoco station, and the search for a winner
- Stock market today: Asia markets rise ahead of US consumer prices update
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Inflation continues to moderate thanks to a big drop in gas prices
- Poland’s new prime minister vows to press the West to continue helping neighboring Ukraine
- Millions in opioid settlement funds sit untouched as overdose deaths rise
Recommendation
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
Katie Lee Biegel's Gift Guide Will Help You & Loved Ones Savor The Holiday Season
Zac Efron shouts out 'High School Musical,' honors Matthew Perry at Walk of Fame ceremony
Billy Ray Cyrus' Birthday Tribute to Wife Firerose Will Cure Any Achy Breaky Heart
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
How much for the two turtle doves, please? Unpacking the real cost of 12 Days of Christmas
Shohei Ohtani’s massive $700 million deal with Dodgers defers $680 million for 10 years
Myanmar’s economy is deteriorating as its civil conflict intensifies, World Bank report says