Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Sexual Battery Lawsuit Dismissed Over Statute Of Limitations
A judge has ruled that a sexual battery lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs must be dismissed. On Tuesday (Aug. 26), Justice Stroth of the New York State Court agreed with the defense that “the sole cause of action for sexual battery is untimely under New York’s statute of limitations and must be dismissed,” in court documents viewed by VIBE.
The ruling detailed that the Court found that New York law, N.Y. CPLR 213-c which provides a 20-year statute of limitations, does not apply retroactively to allegations predating its 2019 enactment. The alleged victim is a California resident and claimed the events took place in Los Angeles. Bad Boy Entertainment and Combs Enterprises were also named in the lawsuit.
In a statement sent to VIBE on behalf of Combs, attorney Erica Wolff shared, “From the outset, we have said these claims were meritless, time-barred, and legally deficient. The Court agreed, finding no legal basis to allow them to proceed. We are pleased the Court carefully analyzed and swiftly dismissed these baseless claims.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
“Even assuming California’s current ten-year statute for sexual assault claims applies, the events in question allegedly occured in 2015, and the plaintiff did not file this action until 2025. Plaintiff has not alleged any facts establishing statutory tolling or revival under AB 2777. Without such showing, the court concludes that the claim is untimely under California law as well,” detailed the ruling.
“Accordingly, because the action is untimely under both New York and California law, as required under CPLR 202, it must be dismissed to all Defendants.”
“I wouldn’t call this a victory for Mr. Combs, at all,” said the John Doe plaintiff’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, in a statement to Billboard. “We won’t allow Mr. Combs to escape a trial on the merits due to a technicality.”
“The retroactive ability of the NY statute at issue was an open question. The court in New York has answered that question,” he added. “As with many cases like this one, we will refile it in California, where the alleged assault occurred.”
Diddy performs at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in a special one night only event at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on November 07, 2023 in London, England.
Samir Hussein/Getty Images for Sean Diddy Combs
Earlier this month, a judge dismissed 21 of 22 counts in the lawsuit filed by Sara Rivers of Making the Band 2. She also asserted that she will continue with her legal claims despite the ruling.
Last month, the disgraced Hip-Hop mogul was found guilty on two federal counts of transporting women across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. The 55-year-old was acquitted on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
Combs is set to be sentenced this October. He faces up to 10 years in prison on each count.
