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Sean “Diddy” Combs Sues for $50 Million Over Defamation Claims
Sean “Diddy” Combs has initiated a defamation lawsuit seeking $50 million against Courtney Burgess, who has alleged possession of videos that supposedly depict the music mogul in sexually compromising situations. The lawsuit also targets Nexstar Media Inc., the parent company of NewsNation, for promoting Burgess’s claims during a televised interview.
In documents filed in the Southern District of New York, Combs accused Burgess of making false assertions about the existence of footage that allegedly shows Combs engaging in the “sexual assault of celebrities and minors.” The lawsuit contends that Burgess propagated these claims to a wide audience, including prominent media reporters.
The suit also brings Ariel Mitchell, Burgess’s attorney, into the fray for statements made during a NewsNation broadcast that aired around September 27, 2024. The complaint notes that Mitchell discussed the supposed tapes and suggested that Combs was featured alongside another individual who allegedly holds a higher public profile. She claimed that this video is legitimate and pornographic, stating, “I can tell that the video is pornographic in nature.” The lawsuit asserts that NewsNation irresponsibly propagated these claims without verifying their authenticity.
Requests for comments from Mitchell, Burgess, and Nexstar remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
Erica Wolff, a lawyer for Combs at Sher Tremonte LLP, asserted, “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is taking a stand against the malicious falsehoods that have been fabricated and amplified by individuals seeking to profit at his expense. These defendants have willfully fabricated and disseminated outrageous lies with reckless disregard for the truth. Their falsehoods have poisoned public perception and contaminated the jury pool. This complaint should serve as a warning that such intentional falsehoods, which undermine Mr. Combs’s right to a fair trial, will no longer be tolerated.”
Burgess gained attention in October when he reportedly stated he was subpoenaed for grand jury testimony related to Combs’s case. He claimed he was instructed to provide any electronic devices or files that “relate to, created by, recorded by and/or depict” Combs.
In addition to the defamation claim, Combs is pursuing $50 million in damages and additional remedies.
In September, Combs faced arrest and indictment on multiple charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and interstate transportation for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His trial is scheduled to begin in May.
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www.rollingstone.com