Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs files $50 million defamation lawsuit over alleged sex tapes
Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs has filed a $50million defamation lawsuit against Courtney Burgess, claiming he fabricated and amplified false claims for financial gain. The man’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, and Nexstar Media Group are also named in the lawsuit; Combs alleges that NewsNation broadcasted allegations without conducting proper due diligence.
The lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York on January 22nd. Combs claims their actions have caused economic and reputational harm while damaging his right to a fair trial with an impartial jury.
Combs was charged with sex trafficking and racketeering in September and has pled not guilty to the allegations against him. He’s currently jailed at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center and set to begin his trial on May 5th.
The lawsuit claims Burgess said he had videos of Combs “involved in the sexual assault of celebrities and minors.” According to the filing, Burgess and Mitchell repeated the allegations to news outlets, including NewsNation.
Combs’ attorneys claim the alleged tapes don’t exist, so their statements that they had footage “were either knowingly blatant falsehoods or recklessly false statements.”
Burgess also allegedly claimed that Combs’ ex-partner, Kim Porter, gave him a copy of her memoir and videos that show Combs “sexually assaulting inebriated celebrities and minors.” Combs’ attorneys claim that Burgess and Combs have never met, and Burgess has no association with Combs’ family.
“Defendants made these false and defamatory statements in bad faith, as part of a deliberate effort to damage Mr. Combs’ reputation, undermine his business and, by painting him as debauched and a pedophile, to poison the public’s perception of him and deprive him of a fair trial,” Combs’ legal team said.
Mitchell responded to the lawsuit in a statement to People, writing, “This is just a pathetic ploy to silence victims and people who stand up for victims. Diddy has time to sue but refuses to accept service for the lawsuits already filed against him. I look forward to countersuing and ensuring the court punishes not only Diddy but also his lawyers who filed this pathetic lawsuit for this frivolous and meritless filing.”
Combs is demanding a jury trial, suing for defamation of at least $50 million and punitive damages.