Attorneys representing Sean “Diddy” Combs have submitted a motion to dismiss sections of a lawsuit that accuses him of sexual assault. They argue that certain allegations are not legally applicable to the time when the purported incident occurred.
Court records reviewed by TMZ reveal that a motion submitted to a New York court asserts Diddy is not liable to be sued, as the laws cited did not exist at the time Joi Dickerson-Deal made allegations against him in 1991.
The music mogul’s lawyers seek to dismiss parts of Dickerson-Deal’s claims, including revenge porn and human trafficking, with prejudice.
She accused Combs of deliberately drugging her, then taking her home and sexually assaulting her after a date in Harlem. At the time, she was a 19-year-old college student.
The lawsuit claims that unbeknownst to her, Combs recorded the assault. It also claims he subsequently distributed the video among various acquaintances in the music industry. He denied the claims. His legal team argued that she was exploiting the New York law that briefly extended the statute of limitations.
Dickerson-Deal’s allegations surfaced almost thirty years after the purported misconduct. Combs’ lawyers noted that the New York State Revenge Porn Law, under which the claims were made, was not established until 2019. Furthermore, they highlighted additional relevant legislation, such as the New York Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Law, which was enacted in 2007.
Scrutiny on Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Has Increased Following a Federal Raids on His Miami and Los Angeles Properties
Last month, federal authorities conducted raids on Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a sex trafficking probe. This criminal investigation marks a significant intensification of the scrutiny on Diddy. Of course, he’s previously been named as a defendant in multiple sexual abuse lawsuits.
In a legal battle that was resolved the day following its filing in November, Combs faced accusations from his former protégée and girlfriend, the R&B artist Cassie. She filed a lawsuit against him, alleging prolonged sexual abuse, including rape. According to the lawsuit, he coerced her into engaging in sexual acts with male prostitutes, which he then recorded.
In February, a lawsuit was filed by a music producer accusing Combs of pressuring him into soliciting prostitutes. They also allege Diddy coerced him to engage in sexual activities with them. Additionally, another accuser, a woman, charged Combs with raping her twenty years ago when she was 17.
Combs and his legal team have refuted every allegation presented in the lawsuits. The veteran rapper and mogul has been spotted several times appearing carefree in public.