CNN
—
Sean “Diddy” Combs is seeking to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by Rodney Jones, a producer known by the nickname “Lil Rod,” who sued the controversial businessman and musician earlier this year for sexual assault, sexual harassment and grooming.
In a motion to dismiss filed Monday in federal court in the Southern District of New York, Combs claims Jones’ lawsuit is without merit and is aimed at obtaining a financial settlement and attracting media attention.
Jones, a music producer and videographer, said in his lawsuit that he worked with Combs on his latest album, “Love,” in 2022 and 2023. Among other things, Jones claims that Combs did not compensate him for his work as a music producer, forced him to procure and interact with sex workers, threatened him and served drug-laced alcoholic beverages to guests at parties at his homes.
Jones is seeking $30 million in his lawsuit against Combs. He originally filed the suit in February 2024. Jones requested voluntary dismissal of some of the defendants, which the judge granted in May.
According to Combs’ motion to dismiss, Jones’s lawsuit is “riddled with legally meaningless allegations and blatant falsehoods.” Despite “exaggerations and sensationalist theatrics,” the new court documents say, Jones’ lawsuit “does not contain a single viable claim” against Combs and his business entities, which are named as additional defendants.
Combs not only denies Jones’ claims, but also accuses Jones of using serious allegations against him to “promote his personal brand and profit from the notoriety.” He points to a recent social media post in which Jones discussed his lawsuit against Combs and laughed and smiled in the video. A source close to Combs told CNN that Jones and his attorney Tyrone Blackburn have received a cease and desist letter related to the social media video.
Jones’ attorney Blackburn told CNN that Combs’ motion to dismiss was a “delaying tactic” and “nothing more than a score-scoring exercise by Combs’ newest lawyers, who are obviously trying to line their pockets.” Blackburn said his client’s lawsuit was packed with evidence.
Combs’ lawyers state in the motion that “Jones’ sexual assault claim against Mr. Combs must be dismissed because Jones fails to state the most basic facts, such as where and when an alleged instance of assault occurred or what allegedly occurred.”
The motion also seeks to dismiss other charges, including Combs’ alleged “pattern of organized criminal activity,” liability for sexual advances by third parties and Jones’ emotional distress.
Jones’ lawsuit is one of nine filed against Combs since last November and the eighth to directly accuse him of sexual assault. One of the eight lawsuits, filed by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, has been settled. Another lawsuit accuses his son Christian Combs of sexual assault, and Sean Combs is accused of aiding and abetting. Combs and his son have denied the allegations against them.
After denying Ventura’s allegations against him, CNN released a video of Combs physically abusing her. Combs subsequently apologized – his first admission of any wrongdoing, although he continues to insist he is not responsible for most of the allegations against him.
This is Combs’ fifth pending motion to dismiss portions of a lawsuit or complaints in their entirety.
The lawsuits Combs faces are civil, but sources familiar with the investigation told CNN in May that federal investigators were ready to empanel a grand jury, suggesting the U.S. Justice Department may be seeking to indict Combs.
A source familiar with the current status of the investigation told CNN that Combs had been informed that he was under criminal investigation, but has not yet received a letter from authorities. While the investigation is ongoing, there is no indication if or when charges might be filed against Combs.
