Introduction to the Lawsuit
Sean "Diddy" Combs has doubled his previously submitted lawsuit against a man and his lawyer, whom he claims defamed him with comments about his alleged participation in sexual activities. The lawsuit, which was originally submitted to the Federal Court of New York in January, has been amended to claim $100 million in damages from the plaintiffs: Courtney Burgess, lawyer Ariel Mitchell, and Newsnation parent company Nexstar.
Background of the Case
The lawsuit stems from interviews with Burgess in October and Mitchell in September, where they discussed video footage that allegedly showed Combs engaging in sexual activities with celebrities. Burgess claimed to have still pictures from the videos, including one that showed Justin Bieber kissing an unidentified man. Combs’ lawyers argue that these claims have caused "irreparable harm" to his reputation and have cultivated a "media frenzy" against him.
Allegations and Claims
The allegations made by Burgess and Mitchell include claims that Combs’ deceased ex-wife, Kim Porter, gave him a copy of her memoirs that included details of the alleged sexual assaults before she died in 2018. The interviews, which were broadcast on Newsnation, also included speculation about the participation of celebrities in Combs’ alleged "freak-off" parties. However, Combs’ lawyers argue that these claims are "outlandish" and have no basis in fact.
The Lawsuit and Damages
The amended complaint, which was filed in the Southern District of New York on August 11, claims that Burgess and Mitchell’s comments have caused Combs to suffer "serious reputational damage" and have led to a "media disorder" against him. Combs is seeking at least $100 million in damages, which his lawyers argue is necessary to compensate for the harm caused by the defendants’ actions.
Reaction from the Defendants
A message sent to Mitchell by The Hollywood Reporter did not receive an immediate response on Tuesday. Gary Weitman, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of the Nexstar Media Group, declined to comment on the lawsuit via email.
Combs’ Previous Arrest and Trial
In September, Combs was arrested on charges of sex trafficking, extortion, and transporting prostitution. During his eight-week trial, details about his non-traditional sex life emerged, and prosecutors painted a picture of a network of employees who allegedly worked to sexually exploit women. However, the jury ultimately found Combs guilty of the lesser charge of transporting prostitution.
Aftermath of the Trial
Since the verdict last month, Combs’ lawyers have been working to get him released to his home in Miami until his sentencing on October 3. This has reportedly involved discussions with the Trump administration about a potential pardon for Combs. Meanwhile, the lead prosecutor in the case, Maurene Comey, has been released from her position as a federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York.
