Sean 'Diddy' Combs Gets Win in One Case While on Trial in Another
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A federal judge has ruled that a woman suing music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs under the pseudonym "Jane Doe" cannot remain anonymous, delivering a legal victory for Combs as he simultaneously faces a separate federal criminal trial.
In his federal trial, Combs was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has been accused of operating a sex trafficking ring for more than 20 years.
Why It Matters
The decision by the federal judge comes in one of several civil cases filed against Combs. The ruling strips anonymity protections from a plaintiff who alleges she was drugged and raped by Combs in a Las Vegas hotel suite in 2014. The claim was filed amid broader accusations from multiple women and men of misconduct and abuse.
Combs had pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges and denies any wrongdoing.
Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.
Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.
zz/Zephyr/STAR MAX/IPx
What To Know
The woman filed her complaint last October in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, detailing an alleged encounter at an exclusive Memorial Day weekend party hosted by Combs. According to her suit, she was invited by a promoter known as "International Smoove" to Combs' Las Vegas afterparty, where she consumed a drink from an open bottle of vodka. She claimed she became dizzy and later awoke disoriented and groggy.
She said Combs was in the corner of the room, shirtless, and "it was clear that someone else had been in the bed with her." She alleges she was raped while unconscious.
Newsweek reached out to the Buzbee Law Firm, which is representing the plaintiff, and representatives for Combs for comment.
Combs' attorneys opposed the plaintiff's request to proceed anonymously, arguing in a March court filing that the law presumes openness in judicial proceedings and that she failed to offer compelling evidence that disclosure of her name would subject her to harm.
"Plaintiff seeks an unfair litigation advantage," they wrote, claiming anonymity would limit the defense's ability to investigate her claims or identify relevant witnesses.
Judge Vernon S. Broderick sided with Combs' attorneys in Tuesday's order, finding that "the prejudice to Defendants of Plaintiff proceeding anonymously and the public's interest in monitoring proceedings about a public figure outweigh Plaintiff's interest in proceeding anonymously."
He noted that the plaintiff had not presented "particularized evidence" that disclosure would cause her severe mental or physical harm, calling her attorney's statements too "conclusory."
He also cited the broader context of Combs' legal entanglements, observing that the plaintiff's attorneys are involved in at least 21 cases against Combs. He said similar decisions have been made in these cases
"I consider these decisions in evaluating Plaintiff's request," Broderick wrote.
What People Are Saying
Broderick, in an order: "Plaintiff failed to show specific threats or harms she would face that would strengthen her interest in proceeding anonymously."
Combs' attorneys, in a memorandum opposing the motion: "Plaintiff should not be permitted to conduct the entirety of these proceedings under the cloak of anonymity, with the resulting prejudice to the public interest and the Combs Defendants' ability to defend themselves."
Attorneys for the plaintiff, in a complaint: "Through this case, Plaintiff seeks a full measure of justice from a man who thought his power, money and influence rendered him untouchable. Plaintiff joins many other victims by filing this Complaint in hopes their common voice makes it impossible for Combs to assault another person ever again."
What Happens Next
With the ruling, the plaintiff will be required to amend her complaint to include her legal name by May 20 unless she files an appeal or withdraws the lawsuit. The case will proceed as Combs continues to fight multiple civil suits and a high-profile criminal trial.
The ruling may shape how other courts weigh similar anonymity requests in related lawsuits brought by plaintiffs against Combs.
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