CNN
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Sean “Diddy” Combs is in search of to toss out a civil lawsuit from Rodney Jones — a producer referred to as “Lil Rod” — who, earlier this 12 months, sued the embattled businessman and musician for sexual assault, sexual harassment, and grooming.
In a movement to dismiss, filed Monday in federal courtroom within the Southern District of New York, Combs claims that Jones’ lawsuit has no benefit and is designed to achieve a financial settlement and garner media consideration.
Jones, a music producer and videographer, stated in his lawsuit that he labored with Combs in 2022 and 2023 on his most up-to-date album, “Love.” Amongst different allegations, Jones claims that Combs didn’t compensate him for his music producing work, pressured him to acquire and work together with intercourse employees, threatened him and served alcoholic drinks laced with medicine to company at events at his houses.
Jones is in search of $30 million in his swimsuit in opposition to Combs. He initially filed the grievance in February 2024. Jones moved to voluntarily dismiss among the defendants, which the decide granted in Could.
Based on Combs’ movement to dismiss, Jones’ grievance is “replete with legally meaningless allegations and blatant falsehoods.” Regardless of “hyperbole and lurid theatrics,” the brand new courtroom paperwork state, Jones’ lawsuit “fails to state a single viable declare” in opposition to Combs and his enterprise entities, that are named as further defendants.
Other than denying Jones’ claims, Combs additionally accuses Jones of utilizing severe allegations in opposition to him to “promote his private model and revenue from publicity,” citing a latest social media publish the place Jones spoke about his lawsuit in opposition to Combs and was laughing and smiling within the video. A supply near Combs informed CNN that Jones and his legal professional, Tyrone Blackburn, acquired a stop and desist associated to the social media video
Jones’ legal professional, Blackburn, informed CNN that Combs’ movement to dismiss is a “delay tactic” and “nothing greater than a billing train by Combs’ newest set of attorneys who’re clearly making an attempt to fill their pockets.” Blackburn stated that his shopper’s lawsuit is filled with proof.
Combs’ attorneys state within the movement that “Jones’ sexual assault declare in opposition to Mr. Combs have to be dismissed as a result of Jones fails to plead probably the most fundamental info, corresponding to the place and when any purported occasion of assault occurred or what allegedly transpired.”
The movement additionally seeks to toss out different claims, together with Combs’ alleged “sample of racketeering exercise,” legal responsibility for sexual advances from third events and Jones’ affected by emotional misery.
Jones’ grievance is amongst nine in opposition to Combs since final November and the eighth instantly accusing him of sexual assault. One of many eight lawsuits, filed by former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, has been settled. One other lawsuit accused his son Christian Combs of sexual assault, and Sean Combs is accused of aiding and abetting. Combs and his son have denied the allegations in opposition to them.
After denying claims in opposition to him by Ventura, CNN published a video of Combs bodily abusing her, which resulted in Combs issuing an apology — his first admission of any wrongdoing, although he nonetheless maintains that he’s not accountable of many of the accusations in opposition to him.
That is Combs’ fifth pending movement to dismiss parts of a lawsuit or complaints of their entirety.
The lawsuits Combs is going through are civil circumstances, however CNN reported in Could that federal investigators had been ready to make the most of a grand jury, in keeping with sources aware of the probe, signaling that the US Justice Division is transferring towards doubtlessly in search of an indictment of Combs.
A supply aware of the present state of the investigation informed CNN that Combs has been knowledgeable that he’s the topic of an ongoing legal investigation, however so far, has not acquired a goal letter from authorities. Whereas the investigation is ongoing, there isn’t a indication as to if or when Combs could also be indicted.