Diddy, 54, forms a new legal team and issues a response that denies his involvement in a 2003 gang rape allegation amidst four ongoing sexual assault claims after a settlement with former girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
Diddy, now known as Brother Love but real name Sean Combs, is accused of the gang rape of a 17-year-old Jane Doe in 2003. In a lawsuit filed in December 2023, Jane Doe claimed she was flown on a private jet from Michigan to Diddy’s New York recording studio, where she alleged she was given drugs and alcohol before being raped by Combs and Harve Pierre, the president of Bad Boy Entertainment.
A photo of Jane Doe sitting in Diddy’s lap in a recording studio in 2003 also surfaced following the lawsuit.
On Tuesday (Feb. 20), Diddy and lead attorney Shawn Holley told a federal court that Jane Doe’s claims were “entirely fictional” and argued the provided photograph was taken out of context. The court document reads: “He (Diddy) never participated in, witnessed, or was or is presently aware of any misconduct, sexual or otherwise, relating to plaintiff (Jane Doe) in any circumstance whatsoever.”
Diddy’s attorney proceeded to argue Jane Doe’s claims as unconstitutional based on them waiting more than two decades, which obstructed his client’s ability to “defend himself fully and fairly.”
Holley wrote: “Some or all evidence that otherwise would have been available if the action had been promptly commenced may be unavailable, lost, or compromised.”
Holley continued: “The absence of evidence materially impacts defendant’s ability to defend against essential aspects of plaintiff’s claims. Witness identification, availability, and recollections are likely compromised due to the substantial passage of time since the alleged incident.”
Filed over two decades after the alleged incident, the case against the mogul was brought under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which extends the statute of limitations for such cases.
Jane Doe credited coming forward with allegations was inspired by Cassie’s lawsuit against Diddy, which was settled for an undisclosed amount. Cassie and Diddy would release statements after the settlement with the mogul continuing to proclaim his innocence of wrongdoing.
Jane Doe wrote in the initial complaint, “As a result of being raped by Mr. Combs, Mr. Pierre and the Third Assailant, Ms. Doe suffered significant emotional distress and feels of shame that have plagued her life and personal relationships for 20 years.”
50 Cent has been trolling Diddy on social media since the allegations were made public. On Wednesday, he called boxing icon and former best friend Floyd Mayweather Jr “stupid” for defending Diddy during his interview with the Pivot.
50 shared he was developing a tell-all documentary on Diddy after the allegations surfaced. No word on the progress at press time.