Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accuser forced to drop anonymity or case will be dropped
On October 15th, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ legal team took aim at the courts and Texas-based attorney Tony Buzzbee by demanding that the anonymity of certain accusers be removed.
Some of the federal lawsuits filed against Combs at the District Court for the Southern District of New York are filed under the anonymous pseudonym Jane Doe or John Doe. However, in early October, the mogul’s attorneys explained that fighting the allegations in court would be harder if they could not prepare a proper defence for their client. Therefore, they demanded a list of names.
Combs’ team argued that knowledge of the accusers would make it easier for the allegations to be specifically addressed and fought in a court of law. As such, they filed a motion demanding the court reveal the names of all people involved in the case against the mogul.
Although Combs’ legal team was primarily interested in the federal case against Combs, his attorneys were also not happy with the anonymity level of the lawsuits Buzbee filed. They suggested that the continuous wave of lawsuits Buzbee’s clients have filed is due to the protection they know they will receive as anonymous claimants. As such, they asked for an end to anonymous claimants.
It has recently been reported that a New York judge has ruled that a Jane Doe must reveal their identity in one specific case. The plaintiff has been presented with a harsh ultimatum. Either give up the anonymity or have the case instantly dismissed.
The case recently ruled on claims that Combs allegedly sexually assaulted this female over 20 years ago. However, the judge who has denied anonymity, Mary Kay Vyskocil, has thoroughly explained how, although the case is sensitive, the plaintiff has not proven that she is entitled to remain anonymous.
Vyskocil pointed out the woman is an adult who “decided to file a lawsuit in which she accuses a famous person of engaging in heinous conduct approximately 20 years ago.” The judge told Jane Doe that she must refile the lawsuit in her own name by November 13th, or the case would be thrown out of court. The case under threat was the first filed by Tony Buzbee against Combs and alleges that he raped her under threat of violence in 2004 when she was a college freshman.
This Jane Doe may be the first of many anonymous claimants asked to reveal their identities before they enter court to battle Combs.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.