Current:Home > ScamsSean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit -DollarDynamic
Sean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit
View
Date:2025-04-13 15:49:27
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! (4521)
Related
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- After 'Felicity' and a stint as a spy, Keri Russell embraces her new 'Diplomat' role
- 'A Living Remedy' tells a story of family, class and a daughter's grief
- The 92 Best Presidents’ Day Deals on Home, Tech, and Travel Products: Apple, Dyson, Roku, Ninja, and More
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Selena Gomez's Pre-Flight Beauty Routine Will Influence Your Next Travel Day
- Share your favorite memories of Ash Ketchum as Pokémon bids him farewell
- See Pete Davidson and Chase Sui Wonders Cozy Up During Daytona 500 Date
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Excerpts from the works of the 2023 Whiting Award winners
Ranking
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Drag queen (and ordained minister) Bella DuBalle won't be silenced by new Tenn. law
- The 78 Best Amazon Deals to Shop During Presidents’ Day 2023
- 72 Presidents' Day Sales You Can Still Shop Today: Kate Spade, SKIMS, Nordstrom Rack, Tarte, and More
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Paris Hilton was the center of it all. Now she's shedding the 'character' she created
- As 'Sweeney Todd' returns to Broadway, 4 Sweeneys dish about the difficult role
- Why a portrait artist from Ireland started making comics about U.S. police brutality
Recommendation
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
A music school uniting Syrian and Turkish cultures survives the massive earthquake
A monument of Harriet Tubman now replaces a statue of Christopher Columbus in Newark
Shop the Cutest Inclusively Designed Journals, Planners & Home Decor From Be Rooted
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Do we, in fact, all scream for 'Scream 6'?
Brittney Griner is working on a memoir about her captivity in Russia
'Beef' is intense, angry and irresistible