Current:Home > ScamsSean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit -InvestTomorrow
Sean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit
View
Date:2025-04-20 01:04:49
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! (6)
Related
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- TikToker went viral after man stole her shoes on date: What it says about how we get even
- Carl Nassib, first openly gay player to play in NFL games, announces his retirement
- Ukraine’s first lady is 'afraid' the world is turning away from war
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Heat wave in Mid-Atlantic, Northeast forces schools to close, modify schedules
- Oregon man who was sentenced to death is free 2 years after murder conviction was reversed
- A cyclone has killed over 20 people in Brazil, with more flooding expected
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Extreme heat makes air quality worse–that's bad for health
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Legal fights over voting districts could play role in control of Congress for 2024
- United Airlines lifts nationwide ground stop after technology issue
- 3-legged bear named Tripod takes 3 cans of White Claw from Florida family's back yard
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Judge rules Trump in 2019 defamed writer who has already won a sex abuse and libel suit against him
- George Washington University sheltering in place after homicide suspect escapes from hospital
- It’s official. Meteorologists say this summer’s swelter was a global record breaker for high heat
Recommendation
A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
Aryna Sabalenka, soon to be new No. 1, cruises into U.S. Open semifinals
Georgia remains No. 1, Florida State rises to No. 5 in US LBM Coaches Poll
This summer was the hottest on record across the Northern Hemisphere, the U.N. says
Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
Authorities try to flush out escaped murderer in suburban Philadelphia manhunt
West Virginia governor wants lawmakers to revisit law allowing high school athletic transfers
Phoenix on track to set another heat record, this time for most daily highs at or above 110 degrees