Current:Home > MarketsSean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit -VitalEdge Finance Pro
Sean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss sex trafficking claim in sexual assault lawsuit
View
Date:2025-04-14 15:34:34
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! (24423)
Related
- Boy who wandered away from his 5th birthday party found dead in canal, police say
- Horoscopes Today, August 29, 2023
- Best Buy CEO: 2023 will be a low point in tech demand as inflation-wary shoppers pull back
- Phillies set to use facial authentication to identify ticketholders
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Lupita Nyong’o Gives Marvelous Look Inside Romance With Boyfriend Selema Masekela
- West Virginia University recommends keeping some language classes, moving forward with axing majors
- 'Lucky to be his parents': Family mourns student shot trying to enter wrong house
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- 'I find it wrong': Cosmetics brand ends Alice Cooper collection after he called trans people a 'fad'
Ranking
- Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
- Former death row inmate pleads guilty to murder and is sentenced to 46 1/2 years in prison
- Hurricane Idalia menaces Florida’s Big Bend, the ‘Nature Coast’ far from tourist attractions
- Surprise encounter with mother grizzly in Montana ends with bear killed, man shot in shoulder
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Bachelor Nation's Jade Roper Pens Message to Late Baby Beau After Miscarriage
- Are avocados good for you? They may be worth the up-charge.
- Forklift operator dies in accident at Boston’s Logan International Airport
Recommendation
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
Chlöe and Halle Bailey Share When They Feel Most Confident and Some Tips for a Viral Fashion Moment
Miley Cyrus' Brother Trace Cyrus Makes Rare Comments About His Famous Family Members
TikTok has a new viral drama: Why we can't look away from the DIY craft controversy
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Injury may cost Shohei Ohtani in free agency, but he remains an elite fantasy option
Kirkus Prize names Jesmyn Ward, Héctor Tobar among finalists for top literary award
Amazon Reviewers Swear By This Genius Cleaning Ball to Keep Their Bags Dirt & Crumb-Free