Sean “Diddy” Combs has refuted allegations in a legal filing, denying accusations that he sexually assaulted a woman 20 years ago in a New York City recording studio when she was 17, as stated in a lawsuit filed in December.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe in her lawsuit, has accused Combs, along with Harve Pierre, a former president of Combs’ record label, and an unnamed individual, of assaulting her in turns. The lawsuit lists Combs, Pierre, Daddy’s House Recordings, and Bad Boy Entertainment as defendants.
A response submitted Tuesday in the Southern District of New York asserts that Combs “never participated in, witnessed, or was or is presently aware of any misconduct, sexual or otherwise,” involving the woman “in any circumstance whatsoever.” The response also raises doubts about the authenticity of photos included in the lawsuit. The woman’s lawsuit contains four images allegedly taken in Combs’ recording studio on the night of the alleged assaults. One photo depicts her seated on Combs’ lap, with her face blurred in the images.
Combs’ legal team argues that the context, authenticity, and accuracy of the photographs are disputed.
Additionally, Combs’ attorneys contend that the lawsuit should be dismissed because the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, under which it was filed, is deemed unconstitutional.
“Plaintiff’s decision to wait more than two decades to file her Complaint has prejudiced Defendant, as he has lost the ability to defend himself fully and fairly in this action,” Combs’ response states, adding that “some or all evidence that otherwise would have been available if the action had been promptly commenced may be unavailable, lost, or compromised.”
In a separate response also filed Tuesday, Pierre stated that he neither participated in nor witnessed the sexual assault of Doe.
Doe is the fourth person to file a lawsuit against Combs, alleging sexual assault. Combs’ attorneys have requested in court filings that her identity be disclosed. A judge has yet to rule on the matter.
"The deeply troubling allegations against the defendants by multiple women speak for themselves," stated Michael J. Willemin, an attorney for the woman, in a statement on Wednesday. "The ridiculous claim that the photos are somehow fake and the law at issue is unconstitutional are nothing more than desperate attempts to conjure a defense where none exists."
The accuser is also represented by Douglas Wigdor, the attorney who previously represented singer, model, and actress Cassie in her federal lawsuit against Combs. Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura and who was a former longtime romantic partner of Combs, was signed to his record label. She filed a federal lawsuit against Combs in mid-November, alleging rape and repeated assault over nearly a decade. The case was settled the day after it was filed, with the terms of the settlement undisclosed. Combs' lawyer, Ben Brafman, emphasized that the settlement was "in no way an admission of wrongdoing."
The other cases against Combs are still ongoing. In a statement made in December, he denied the allegations, stating, "enough is enough," and referring to the claims against him as "sickening."
"Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth," he affirmed in the statement.
According to Doe's lawsuit, she was 17 and in the 11th grade when she met Pierre at a lounge in the Detroit area. Pierre, who was the president of Bad Boy Entertainment at the time (but is no longer employed there), complimented her and then began discussing Combs, whom he described as his "best friend." He later called Combs to introduce him to Doe. Despite being twice her age at the time, Combs persuaded her to join Pierre and a third defendant, identified in her suit as "The Third Assailant," on a private jet to visit his studio in New York City. She alleges that Pierre and another man flew her to New York on a private jet and took her to a recording studio, where she was given drugs and alcohol. Pierre, Combs, and an unidentified man then allegedly took turns raping her, according to her lawsuit.