Latest news with #LoveAlbum
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy Rejected A Plea Deal Ahead Of His Sex Trafficking Trial Next Month
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial is set to begin in two weeks, and prosecutors have revealed he once had a chance to take another way out. In court on April 25, prosecutors confirmed the Bad Boy founder was offered a plea deal, but he rejected it and chose to move forward to trial to fight for his freedom. According to Rolling Stone, prosecutors asked Judge Arun Subramanian if he 'could 'allocute' Combs on the plea agreement, essentially meaning, ask him in court and on the record if he understands the plea he was offered and rejected. Subramanian said he would address the plea at a hearing next Thursday, May 1.' Although the specific conditions of the plea deal remain unknown, there was never any confirmation about the long-rumored deal until now. Friday's hearing also resulted in Judge Subramanian ruling that the 2016 video of Combs physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel could be shown to the jury. It was also confirmed this week that the prosecution plans to use the audio from a 2011 phone call to 911 detailing how the 55-year-old artist allegedly broke into one of his victims' homes in Los Angeles. Previously, Combs' legal team attempted to delay the trial by two months, but that motion was swiftly denied. His attorneys were requesting more time to prepare as more charges stacked up, but according to CBS, the decision was made 'immediately' in court on April 18. Judge Subramanian said to the 'I'll Be Missing You' rapper's lawyers that the motion was filed 'last minute' and they did 'have sufficient time to prepare.' Subramanian also said he 'did not understand' why Combs wasn't prepared when he has 'four different law firms working on his case.' The trial will begin on May 5 as originally scheduled. On Sept. 16, 2024, the Love Album creator was arrested in NYC and charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. Disturbing details from the court documents accused Diddy of using his companies to fund and facilitate 'Freak Offs,' where he'd allegedly drug his victims and put them in sexually abusive situations. He is currently being held at the MDC Brooklyn and has been denied bail several times. More from Prosecution Plans To Use 911 Call From Alleged Diddy Burglary In Los Angeles During Trial JAY-Z Rape Accuser Files For Defamation Lawsuit To Be Dismissed BBC To Release 'P. Diddy: The Rise And Fall' Documentary
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Judge Denies Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Motion To Delay Trial
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' high-stakes sex trafficking trial is set to take place as scheduled, despite his legal team's recent efforts to delay it. On Friday (April 18), federal Judge Arun Subramanian ruled against the Bad Boy founder's motion to push back the trial date by two months. The motion, filed Wednesday (April 16), asked for 'a 2-month adjournment' due to concerns about a lack of preparedness after additional charges were filed earlier this month. Combs' defense argued that prosecutors have failed to provide critical evidence in a timely manner. According to CBS, the decision was made 'immediately' in court today. The judge said to the 'I'll Be Missing You' rapper's attorneys that the motion was filed 'last minute' and they did 'have sufficient time to prepare.' Subramanian also said he 'did not understand' why Combs wasn't prepared when he has 'four different law firms working on his case.' The trial will begin on May 5 as originally scheduled. The judge also said drafts of a memoir written by one of the alleged victims will be allowed in court. However, the victim's diaries and bank statements were denied. Outtakes from a documentary titled The Fall Of Diddy will be allowed. Other deliberations from today included victim anonymity. There are three alleged victims who the government wants to testify under pseudonyms, and the judge has ruled they can testify anonymously. Earlier this month, it was confirmed that ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura will testify under her own identity. Despite this setback, Diddy's legal team announced a win earlier this week. Brian Steel, the attorney who helped Young Thug come out on the winning end of his RICO trial, recently joined Combs' defense team. On Sept. 16, 2024, the Love Album creator was arrested in NYC and charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. Disturbing details from the court documents accused Diddy of using his companies to fund and facilitate 'Freak Offs,' where he'd allegedly drug his victims and put them in sexually abusive situations. He is currently being held at the MDC Brooklyn and has been denied bail several times. More from Sean "Diddy" Combs Pleads Not Guilty To New Trafficking Charges Here's Exactly Why Celebrity Attorney Joe Tacopina Turned Down Representing Diddy Aaron Hall Reportedly Missing After Being Named In A Diddy Lawsuit
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy Scores Legal Win As Lil Rod's RICO Claims Are Dismissed By Judge
Diddy just scored a partial win in his sprawling tapestry of lawsuits. On Monday (Mar. 24), a judge dismissed claims that Sean Combs was not party to civil racketeering when he chose not to pay the producer for his work on Love Album. U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken declared that Jones failed to show that any damage had been done to his 'business or property.' The federal judge stated that Combs' failure to pay the producer had no 'causal connection' to the RICO charges, Combs Global, or its former chief of staff, Kristina Khorram. '[Combs'] alleged refusal to honor the contract with Jones is not itself a RICO predicate act, even if the contract breach resulted from Jones's refusal to participate in Combs's alleged racketeering scheme,' the judge wrote in their conclusion. 'In sum, whether or not Jones has adequately alleged the existence of a RICO enterprise, he has not tied the activities of that enterprise to defendants' breach of contract, or any other 'business or property' harm incurred by Jones.' As for accusation the that Puffy committed a breach of contract, Judge Oetken pointed to New York state law, stating, 'Any contract that cannot be performed within one year is unenforceable unless it is in writing.' However, this courthouse win shouldn't be celebrated by the Combs team for too long. Oetker ruled that Jones' claims of sex trafficking against the mogul and Khorram could proceed. Judge Oetken reasoned that Jones' lawsuit met the 'necessary requirements' to establish a claim that Diddy broke state sex trafficking laws. The judge asserted that Lil Rod's description of Combs' allegedly groping his genitals and his anus and 'forcing him to solicit sex workers and perform sex acts to the pleasure of Mr. Combs' were enough to proceed. 'On numerous occasions, Combs allegedly recruited or enticed Jones to solicit and perform sex acts with commercial sex workers, as well as transported Jones across state and international borders in order to do so,' the judge wrote in his 31-page opinion. 'Combs allegedly secured Jones's compliance with his requests both by promising economic benefits that never materialized and by threatening Jones with physical restraint and harm.' In a statement to Rolling Stone, Lil Rod's lawyer, Tyrone Blackburn, celebrated Judge Oetken's decision, declaring, 'A win is a win. The case is still alive. Diddy and [Khorram] better prepare for [the] deposition.' Sean Combs has consistently fought back against Lil Rod's claims, issuing numerous statements denying any wrongdoing. 'Mr. Jones' lawsuit is pure fiction,' his legal team wrote in 2024 regarding claims that Puffy sexually assaulted Jones. 'A shameless attempt to create media hype and extract a quick settlement. There was no RICO conspiracy, and Mr. Jones was not threatened, groomed, assaulted, or trafficked. We look forward to proving — in a court of law — that all of Mr. Jones's claims are made-up and must be dismissed.' Khorram recently hit back at the claims against her, saying in a statement, 'The idea that I could be accused of playing a role in — or even being a bystander to — the rape of anyone is beyond upsetting, disturbing, and unthinkable. That is not who I am, and my heart goes out to all victims of sexual assault. I am confident that the allegations against me will be proven to be untrue.' Meanwhile, Diddy is currently behind bars, where he will stay through his trial which begins on May 5, 2025. More from Diddy's Former Chief Of Staff Breaks Silence On "Disturbing" Allegations Tony Buzbee Withdraws As Attorney On Several Diddy Lawsuits Sean "Diddy" Combs Allegedly "Didn't Know" Jail Call With Ye Was Being Recorded
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sean Combs Wins Dismissal of Civil Racketeering Claims in Lil Rod's Lawsuit
A federal judge has dismissed the civil racketeering and breach of contract claims filed against Sean 'Diddy' Combs by his former music producer Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones. Still, much of Jones' sprawling lawsuit survived the dismissal motion brought by Combs, his company, and his chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, meaning the case will now move ahead in a slimmed-down form. In a 31-page opinion issued Monday, U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken said Jones fell short of showing a required injury to his 'business or property' caused by a violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The judge said Jones' alleged non-payment for his services on Combs' Love Album didn't count because it lacked a 'causal connection' with any purported racketeering activity. The judge's ruling dismissed the racketeering claims against Combs, his company, Combs Global, and Khorram. More from Rolling Stone Blake Lively Asks Court to Dismiss Justin Baldoni's 'Vengeful' Lawsuit Federal Judge Dismisses Copyright Lawsuit Against Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Soulja Boy Accuser Gives Harrowing Testimony: 'I Didn't Even Feel Human Anymore' '[Combs'] alleged refusal to honor the contract with Jones is not itself a RICO predicate act, even if the contract breach resulted from Jones's refusal to participate in Combs's alleged racketeering scheme,' the judge wrote. 'In sum, whether or not Jones has adequately alleged the existence of a RICO enterprise, he has not tied the activities of that enterprise to defendants' breach of contract, or any other 'business or property' harm incurred by Jones.' The judge dismissed Jones' breach of contract claim because, according to New York law, 'any contract that cannot be performed within one year is unenforceable unless it is in writing,' he wrote in his ruling. He likewise dismissed Jones' three claims of emotional distress as being deficient in terms of the law. But in his lopsided decision, the judge said the claims of sex trafficking against Combs and Khorram could proceed. He also upheld sexual assault and premises liability claims against Combs. (The trafficking claim was dismissed as to Combs Global.) Jones' lawyer, Tyrone Blackburn, declared a victory Monday when reached by Rolling Stone. 'A win is a win. The case is still alive. Diddy and [Khorram] better prepare for deposition,' Blackburn said. (Reps for Combs and Khorram did not immediately respond to a request for comment.) Combs has denied any wrongdoing in statements through his lawyers. 'No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won't change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex-trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor,' the lawyers recently told Rolling Stone. In a previous statement sent to Rolling Stone, Khorram issued a blanket denial, writing, 'For months, horrific accusations have been made about me in various lawsuits regarding my former boss. These false allegations of my involvement are causing irreparable and incalculable damage to my reputation and the emotional well-being of myself and my family. I have never condoned or aided and abetted the sexual assault of anyone. Nor have I ever drugged anyone.' In his ruling, Judge Oetken said Jones' lawsuit met the necessary requirements in terms of claiming violations of state and sex trafficking laws when he described Combs groping his genitals and forcing him to 'solicit sex workers and perform sex acts to the pleasure of Mr. Combs.' 'On numerous occasions, Combs allegedly recruited or enticed Jones to solicit and perform sex acts with commercial sex workers, as well as transported Jones across state and international borders in order to do so,' the judge wrote. 'Combs allegedly secured Jones's compliance with his requests both by promising economic benefits that never materialized, and by threatening Jones with physical restraint and harm.' Combs, 55, is currently charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he faces 15 years to life in prison. His trial is set for May 5. Combs has been sued by dozens of plaintiffs alleging sexual misconduct. The flood of civil claims started with the bombshell rape and sex-trafficking lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura in November 2023. A handful of other accusers, including Jones, filed lawsuits over the next three months. A subsequent criminal investigation led to Combs' indictment last September. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
