Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sexual assault lawsuit dismissed over accuser’s anonymity
An anonymous woman filed a lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs in October, alleging he attempted to sexually assault her at a party in New York City in 1995. She claimed she was beaten by the Bad Boy rapper when she refused his advances. However, the lawsuit was dismissed on March 31st.
Jane Doe had until March 20th to file a new complaint with her real name but was reluctant to waive her anonymity, resulting in the case’s dismissal. “As a result, all pending motions were terminated, and the case has been formally closed,” the order read.
US District Judge Lewis Liman wrote, “The very gravity of the charges, combined with the fact that Plaintiff has presented no evidence of specific and concrete harm from disclosure of her identity and the severe prejudice to Defendants from keeping that identity confidential, undermine her claim to proceed anonymously.”
According to Rolling Stone, lawyer Tony Buzbee filed for the woman to proceed anonymously in January but was denied.
“This was expected, Buzbee said. “In this particular case, Jane Doe opted not to proceed. There is a lot of fear amongst these plaintiffs. I thus can’t blame her. These are tough cases and they are many times re-traumatising for those who pursue them. Each case stands on its own merit. This woman chose not to proceed and subject herself to the media circus and the perceived danger she felt. We have to respect that.”
Combs’ legal team said in a statement, “Today a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Mr Combs by Texas attorney Anthony Buzbee and his local counsel Antigone Curis on behalf of an anonymised plaintiff. This is now the second case brought by these attorneys against Mr Combs that has been dismissed in its entirety. It will not be the last.”
They added, “For months, we have seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by attorneys more focused on media headlines than legal merit. The other claims, like the one dismissed today, also will not hold up in a court of law.”
Combs is currently detained on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation for purposes of prostitution. His trial is set to begin on May 5th. He denies all allegations of wrongdoing.
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