A Michigan inmate who accused Sean (Diddy) Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting him at a party almost 30 years ago has been awarded a $100-million US judgment against the rapper and record producer.
Derrick Lee Smith, 51, won the multimillion-dollar judgment by default in Lenawee County Circuit Court during a virtual hearing on Monday after Combs, 54, failed to show up.
A lawyer for Combs said the rapper would move to have the judgment dismissed.
“This man [Smith] is a convicted felon and sexual predator, who has been sentenced on 14 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping over the last 26 years,” lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in a statement.
“His resumé 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. Mr. Combs looks forward to having this judgment swiftly dismissed.”
Smith, who was sentenced to prison for 75 years on sexual misconduct and kidnapping charges, filed complaints against Combs in June and August. He was given a temporary restraining order against Combs, who has several other sexual assault cases still pending.
Homeland Security Investigations agents and other federal law enforcement raided two of his properties, in Los Angeles and Miami, on March 25 as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation by federal authorities in New York.
A week earlier, Combs admitted that he beat his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was “truly sorry” and his actions were “inexcusable.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” the music mogul said in a video statement posted Sunday to Instagram and Facebook.
Combs, founder of the landmark label Bad Boy Records, is one of the most influential producers and executives in hip-hop and a hugely successful performer, as well as the impresario of his own Sean John clothing line.
Gloria Allred, an attorney who has represented women in cases alleging sexual assault against high-profile celebrities, says despite the statute of limitations expiring regarding 2016 video showing Sean (Diddy) Combs beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie, he could still face federal charges after authorities recovered electronic devices during raids on his homes.