Latest news with #DaBand
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Diddy wins major legal battle as judge tosses most of $60M lawsuit from Sara Rivers
Diddy scored a major courtroom victory after a federal judge dismissed nearly all claims in a $60 million lawsuit filed by Sara Rivers, a former contestant on MTV's Making the Band 2 and member of Da Band. U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff ruled that 21 of the 22 claims brought by Rivers either lacked legal merit or were filed too late under statute of limitations laws. The sole remaining claim—alleging a violation of the New York City Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act—remains on hold pending a federal appeals court decision on the validity of recent amendments to the statute. Rivers' lawsuit, filed over two decades after her time on the early-2000s reality show, accused Diddy of sexual harassment, assault, forced labor, and emotional abuse. She alleged inappropriate touching during filming, mocking of her eating disorder, and being forced to share housing with male group members despite being married. The complaint also referenced the infamous 'cheesecake' episode, where the group walked from Manhattan to Brooklyn for dessert, while allegedly being paid $5,000 per episode plus a one-time $25,000 bonus. Diddy's legal team has consistently denied all allegations, labeling the lawsuit 'meritless' and 'completely false.' Several claims were voluntarily withdrawn by Rivers prior to the hearing, which the judge marked as moot. With the dismissal 'with prejudice,' the rejected claims cannot be refiled, solidifying Diddy's significant legal win as the high-profile dispute narrows to just one unresolved claim.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Making the Band' singer Sara Rivers dealt legal blow in Sean 'Diddy' Combs lawsuit
Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal battle with "Making the Band" alum Sara Rivers is nearing a close, after a New York judge ordered that all charges against the embattled music mogul be dismissed. Rivers, who appeared on Combs' early 2000s reality show "Making the Band 2" and became a member of hip-hop group Da Band, sued Combs in February on allegations of "unwanted touching," creating a hostile work environment, and fraud while filming the MTV show. The singer also sued several of Combs' companies and business associates for their alleged involvement, including Combs' mother, Janice Combs. In an Aug. 14 ruling in the U.S District Court for the Southern District of New York, Judge Jed S. Rakoff ordered that 21 of the 22 charges listed in Rivers' lawsuit, which span racketeering, assault and battery, forced labor, and false imprisonment, should be dismissed with prejudice, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY. As a result, Rivers will not be able to refile the dismissed charges in a new case. The remaining charge in Rivers' complaint, which alleges Combs violated the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act through his alleged sexual abuse of Rivers, has not been determined with or without prejudice, leaving the possibility that Rivers could renew her claim in a new lawsuit. Judge Rakoff said he is holding off on a definitive ruling on the gender-motivated violence charge pending a decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on the parameters of the New York law. USA TODAY has reached out to Rivers' attorneys for comment. Combs' attorney, Erica Wolff, celebrated the ruling in a statement to USA TODAY. "From the outset, we have said these claims were meritless, time-barred and legally deficient," Wolff said. "The court agreed, finding no legal basis to allow them to proceed. We are pleased the court carefully analyzed and swiftly dismissed these baseless claims." Combs, who was arrested in September 2024, remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn following his trial earlier this summer on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. In July, the rapper was found guilty on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution and acquitted of the remaining offenses. Diddy's legal troubles: Every lawsuit and sex abuse allegation against the music mogul Sara Rivers alleged Diddy sexually assaulted her at music studio In her February lawsuit against Combs, Rivers alleged that Combs sexually assaulted her during her time on "Making the Band 2," a music competition series that centered on the creation of Combs' hip-hop group, Da Band. The singer said she had a confrontation with Combs during a trip to Washington, D.C., after Combs demanded Rivers drink a cocktail he provided that she refused. Around this time, Combs also reportedly claimed that Rivers and her bandmates "lacked drive and initiative" because they didn't visit Combs' studio, Daddy's House, to record music. Heeding Combs' criticism, Rivers said she later went to the studio on her own to record. The "Making the Band" alum claimed that shortly after entering the music facility, Combs abruptly approached her, backed her into a corner, and "ran his left hand across her breasts." After Combs let her leave, Rivers reportedly left the studio "in shock and disbelief" that the rapper assaulted her. As a result of Combs' alleged sexual abuse, Rivers "has sustained and will continue to sustain, monetary damages, physical injury, pain and suffering, and serious psychological and emotional distress," the lawsuit stated. 'You make me so mad, I want to eat your flesh' In January, Rivers appeared in Peacock's "Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy," a documentary that examined Combs' rise to fame and the damning criminal allegations that derailed his media empire. The former TV personality described Combs as a volatile boss who would routinely berate her and her bandmates. "When he got angry with one of my band members, he said, 'You make me so mad, I want to eat your flesh,'" Rivers recalled. Sara Rivers speaks out against Diddy: 'Making the Band' alum alleges 'inappropriate' touching in documentary The singer also accused Combs of sexual misconduct in the special, claiming that he "touched me in a place that he shouldn't have" during a one-on-one incident. "That was inappropriate, and I felt intimidated," Rivers said, later getting choked up. "I'm definitely nervous. ... I haven't said anything for so long, and it's built up." Contributing: KiMi Robinson and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Stevie J denies Chopper's claim about Eve, calls it a 'dirty lie' fueled by desperation
Stevie J is shutting down Chopper's recent claim that he hooked up with the Grammy-winning producer's ex-girlfriend—widely believed to be rapper Eve—during a 2003 trip to Puerto Rico. The reality TV alum and former Da Band member stirred up controversy by hinting at the alleged affair in a new interview, but Stevie J isn't having it. In a fiery response to TMZ, Stevie J dismissed the claim as a 'dirty' and drug-fueled lie, telling Chopper, 'Whatever drug you on, increase that dose and overdose. Handle that.' The Love & Hip Hop star laughed off the accusation and questioned Chopper's credibility altogether. Chopper, known for his time on Making the Band 2, never explicitly named Eve but alluded to her by referencing her 2001 hit single 'Let Me Blow Ya Mind,' leading fans to connect the dots. Eve and Stevie J publicly dated in the early 2000s, adding fuel to the speculation. The claim seems to have stemmed from Chopper feeling slighted by Stevie J's comments about the infamous 'cheesecake walk' from their MTV reality show days. Chopper stated his revelation wasn't meant to start drama but to defend his name. 'If you disrespect Chopper City, I'mma come by mine. Period,' he said. Despite the buzz, Eve has not responded publicly to the claim. Stevie J remains firm in denying it, chalking it up to a desperate attempt at clout by a former castmate looking to stay relevant.
Express Tribune
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
One more to the list- Making The Band singer, Sara Rivers files lawsuit against Diddy
Sara Rivers, a former singer from MTV's Making The Band 2, has filed a lawsuit against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, accusing him of mistreatment, career sabotage, and sexual harassment during her time on the reality show. As per TMZ, the lawsuit filed by Rivers' attorney Ariel Mitchell, also names MTV, Viacom, and several former employees of Bad Boy Entertainment, including Diddy's mother Janice Combs and ex-assistant Fonzworth Bentley. Rivers claims she was subjected to demeaning tasks, including the infamous "cheesecake incident," where Diddy allegedly forced her and fellow members of Da Band to walk several blocks to fetch him a dessert. In addition to the public humiliation, Rivers alleges inappropriate living conditions during filming, including being forced to sleep in a room with four other males, despite being married at the time. She states that she was threatened with removal from the show if she did not comply with these conditions. Rivers further accuses Combs of maliciously sabotaging her music career by disbanding Da Band while retaining most of her earnings, depriving her of financial opportunities. She also alleges sexual harassment, claiming Diddy once backed her into a corner, blocked her movement, and touched her inappropriately. In response, Combs' legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a "false claim" and asserting that he has never sexually assaulted anyone. They believe these lawsuits are meritless and are part of an opportunistic rush to file claims before New York's Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law window closes on 1 March. Combs remains confident he will prevail in court. This lawsuit is part of a growing number of legal challenges faced by Combs, following similar allegations made by former associates and victims, including four new suits all filed in a single day as reported by Variety.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Keefe D's Trial For The 1996 Murder Of Tupac Shakur Now Delayed Until 2026
Duane 'Keefe D' Davis' long-awaited murder trial for his alleged role in the 1996 shooting death of rapper Tupac Shakur has been postponed until 2026. Originally scheduled for March 2025, the delay came after Davis' attorney filed a motion on Feb. 14, requesting more time to prepare. The motion emphasized that with every new piece of evidence presented, it is increasingly evident that crucial facts in the case remain unexamined. 'This case involves decades-old allegations,' the motion read, an argument Judge Carli Kierney, overseeing the case, agreed with. 'It looks like there are quite a few things that are left to be done to get this case prepared,' Judge Kierney stated. 'So that Mr. Davis can have effective assistance of counsel.' Davis, currently held at the Clark County Detention Center in Nevada, faces one count of murder with a deadly weapon in connection with the infamous September 1996 shooting that left Tupac Shakur dead at the age of 25. Although Davis has plead not guilty to the charges, the legal proceedings have been a subject of contention for years. Davis previously attempted to have the charges dismissed, citing the passage of time and alleged constitutional violations. However, his motion to dismiss was denied, and the case remains on track for trial, despite the delay. Davis has openly spoken about his alleged role in the murder of Shakur on multiple occasions, including in various interviews and in his own book, Compton Street Legend, in which he detailed the events surrounding the rap star's death. According to Davis' previous accounts, he provided the firearm used in the shooting of Shakur to his nephew, Orlando Anderson, who is believed to be the gunman responsible for Tupac's murder. Furthermore, Davis has claimed that he was in a vehicle with Anderson, who since died, and other alleged accomplices at the time of the shooting, which occurred on the Las Vegas strip following Mike Tyson's heavyweight title fight against Bruce Selden. However, he now says that those admissions were fabricated and that testimony will prove that he wasn't present in Las Vegas at the time of the shooting, thus vindicating him of guilt. If convicted on all charges, Davis is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison. More from Suge Knight Claims 2Pac Attempted To Fight Snoop Dogg Shortly Before Death Keefe D, 2Pac Murder Suspect, Charged With Battery For Jailhouse Brawl Da Band's Chopper Says Diddy "Hated" Tupac, Shares Theory On Feds Connecting Him To Keefe D Case
