Sean Combs' attorney seeks to get the judgment 'swiftly dismissed' after the rapper is ordered to pay $100 million to a Michigan inmate, who claims he was drugged and assaulted by the hip-hop mogul at a 1997 party.
- Sep 11, 2024
AceShowbiz - Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' lawyer has spoken up after a huge loss in one of lawsuits filed against the rapper. Diddy's attorney Marc Agnifilo accused a Michigan inmate, who claims he was drugged and sexually assaulted by the hip-hop mogul in a party nearly 30 years ago, of "fraud."
"This man is a convicted felon and sexual predator, who has been sentenced on 14 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping over the last 26 years," Agnifilo said in a statement on Tuesday, September 10.
"His resume now includes committing a fraud on the court from prison, as Mr. Combs has never heard of him let alone been served with any lawsuit," the attorney added. Remaining optimistic, he said, "Mr. Combs looks forward to having this judgment swiftly dismissed."
Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, who is serving up to 75 years in prison on first-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping charges, filed a complaint against Combs in June. In August, he was granted a temporary restraining order against the embattled star. According to the Guardian, Combs visited Cardello-Smith in prison and offered him $2.3 million to dismiss the lawsuit.
The 51-year-old inmate was granted a $100 million judgment by default in Lenawee County Circuit Court during a virtual hearing on Monday, September 9, after Combs failed to attend. The Detroit Metro Times reported that a Lenawee County Circuit Court judge set out a schedule with the hopes that Diddy would make monthly installment payments of $10 million, starting October 1.
Cardello-Smith, who is described as a self-taught student of civil and criminal statutes, said in his lawsuit that he encountered Diddy while he was working at a Detroit-area restaurant. The two allegedly met a group of woman at a party and were having sex with them when Diddy allegedly touched Cardello-Smith. He also alleged that Diddy later offered him a spiked drink, which caused him to pass out.
Diddy has denied multiple sexual misconduct allegations leveled at him. He is currently also seeking to toss a $30 million lawsuit by Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones, accusing the music producer of a cash grab.
