Diddy’s Mother Accused of Seizing Bad Boy Stake in Cofounder’s Fraud Lawsuit

Janice Combs, mother of Diddy, faces a fraud lawsuit accusing her of unlawfully seizing a 25 percent stake in Bad Boy Entertainment—a claim brought by founding partner Kirk Burrowes, who alleges he relinquished his shares under threats of violence from the mogul.

Rolling Stone reports that Burrowes’ lawsuit alleges he only recently discovered Combs’ purported role in a 1996 attempt to push him out of the company. He further alleges to possess “irrefutable evidence” that Diddy’s mother covertly took control of “[his] 25% ownership stake” in Bad Boy Entertainment through unlawful means. Burrowes contends that Diddy “betrayed” him, accusing her of colluding with her son to cut him out of the company where he served as president. He further asserts that the mogul pledged to “rectify the theft of his ownership interest,” with the two remaining in contact as recently as 2021.

Diddy’s Mother Breaks Silence as Legal Battles Mount

Burrowes’ lawsuit demands the restoration of his original Bad Boy stake along with financial damages while calling for a comprehensive audit of the label’s books.

Neither Janice Combs nor Diddy have issued a response to the claims. In a 2003 lawsuit, Burrowes accused Diddy of duping him out of $25 million, alleging the mogul stormed into his office with a baseball bat and pressured him into surrendering his stake in Bad Boy. The suit was thrown out, blocked by the statute of limitations. Burrowes asserts his exit from Bad Boy in 1996 led to his exclusion from the entertainment industry.

Janice Combs has stood unwavering behind her son as sexual assault and sex trafficking allegations have trailed him since 2023. Through her attorney last October, Combs declared, “It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies.” She added, “To bear witness what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words.” “Like every human being, my son deserves to have his day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence.”