Sean “Diddy” Combs has secured a significant legal victory in one of the many lawsuits recently filed against him.
A judge has dismissed most of the claims brought against the 55-year-old music mogul by producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones in a s*xual assault lawsuit.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, five out of nine claims against Diddy were thrown out, including allegations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as well as claims of emotional distress and breach of contract.
Diddy has consistently denied all accusations in the multiple lawsuits filed against him, as well as federal charges brought against him last year.
“Lil Rod is nothing more than a liar who filed a $30 billion lawsuit shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday,” Diddy’s attorney, Shawn Holley, previously told the publication.
One of Jones’ claims also targeted Diddy’s company, Combs Global, alleging a violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. However, the judge dismissed that claim as well.
While Jones’ lawsuit against Diddy remains active, its standing appears weakened after the judge criticized his attorney, Tyrone A. Blackburn, for allegedly submitting legally flawed filings.
The judge also pointed out that Blackburn seemingly disregarded the presumption of innocence in Diddy’s ongoing federal case, which includes charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. However, the court suggested Blackburn may have simply misunderstood legal principles rather than intentionally disregarding them.
Jones initially filed his lawsuit in February 2024, alleging groping and a possible drug-induced assault, just weeks before federal agents raided two of Diddy’s homes as part of a sex trafficking investigation.
In response, Diddy’s legal team sought to challenge Jones’ credibility by highlighting his past legal history.
According to court records, Jones was convicted of reckless homicide in 2003 and had multiple assault charges in later years, though those were ultimately dismissed.
His lawyer, Blackburn, defended him, emphasizing that “a charge is not a conviction.” He also clarified that the homicide case stemmed from an accident when Jones was 17, during which he crashed a vehicle while fleeing a police stop, tragically killing his cousin, who was also his best friend.
Blackburn argued that Jones pleaded guilty due to inadequate legal representation and has lived with the guilt ever since.
While the lawsuit is ongoing, the judge’s recent ruling has significantly narrowed its scope, dealing a major win to Diddy in his ongoing legal battles.
