Current:Home > reviewsSean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit -Streamline Finance
Sean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit
View
Date:2025-04-19 04:51:33
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! (43737)
Related
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Ranking
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
Recommendation
Eva Mendes Shares Message of Gratitude to Olympics for Keeping Her and Ryan Gosling's Kids Private
Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
Golf's No. 1 Nelly Korda looking to regain her form – and her spot on the Olympic podium
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
Could your smelly farts help science?