Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs files new $100 million defamation lawsuit
Following the verdict of his sexual assault case, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has filed a defamation lawsuit worth $100 million against one of his accusers, an attorney, and the television network NewsNation.
Combs had originally sued Courtney Burgess, who accused him of sexual assault, for $50 million earlier this year. Despite this, he has now broadened this case to include NewsNetwork, after they broadcasted some of the claims against him by an attorney named Ariel Mitchell.
A statement from Combs’ lawyers, viewed by Far Out, said that Mitchell appeared on the television network and made claims against the rapper that amounted to a “wilful scheme to fabricate and broadcast outrageous lies, including false claims of videos depicting sexual assaults of minors and celebrities, a police report corroborating fabricated rape allegations, and secret recordings to extort partners.”
It added that Mitchell had claimed during her appearance on NewsNation that a police report had corroborated an allegation that Combs had raped a woman in March 2018. However, the lawyers state: “In truth, no such report exists, and the actual report filed by her client alleged rape by two white men, not Mr Combs, with police deeming those allegations unsubstantiated.”
As such, Combs is seeking damages from both Mitchell and NewsNetwork for “amplif[ying] these lies despite knowing or recklessly disregarding their falsity,” for an amount no less than $100 million.
It comes as Combs is attempting to receive a pardon from President Donald Trump over his two guilty counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He is due to be sentenced on October 3rd, but his lawyer Mark Geragos has said the rapper would support Trump if he were to waive his crimes.
If the pardon is not granted, Combs could face up to 20 years in prison. However, he has said he wants to become an anti-domestic abuse counsellor to avoid jail time, to “help in whatever ways he can to kind of encourage other people not to do this and really to help in positive ways in the future.”
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.