Sean “Diddy” Combs has issued a legal response denying claims he gang-raped a 17-year-old girl in 2003. This was just one of four separate sexual assault allegations lodged against the R&B artist late last year.
The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that she was flown on a private jet from Michigan to Combs’ recording studio in New York. After being fed copious amounts” of drugs and alcohol, the plaintiff alleged she was raped by three people, including Combs and Harve Pierre, the president of Bad Boy Entertainment.
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Under Attorney Shawn Holley’s lead, Combs told a federal court on Feb. 20 that Jane Doe’s claims were “entirely fictional.” They also responded to photographs provided by the plaintiff — in which she is pictured sitting on Combs’ lap in his recording studio — by arguing the photographs were potentially falsified or taken out of context.
“He never participated in, witnessed, or was or is presently aware of any misconduct, sexual or otherwise, relating to plaintiff in any circumstance whatsoever,” the document reads.
Combs’ attorneys also claim these allegations are unconstitutional considering his accuser’s “decision to wait more than two decades” has obstructed his “ability to defend himself fully and fairly.”
“Some or all evidence that otherwise would have been available if the action had been promptly commenced may be unavailable, lost, or compromised,” Combs’ attorneys write. The case against Combs was filed under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which allows cases with significant time gaps to be filed outside the usual statute of limitations.
They continue writing, “The absence of evidence materially impacts defendant’s ability to defend against essential aspects of plaintiff’s claims. Witness identification, availability, and recollections are likely compromised due to the substantial passage of time since the alleged incident.”
In a statement provided to Variety, Jane Doe’s lawyer Douglas Wigdor writes, “The deeply troubling allegations against the defendants by multiple women speak for themselves. The ridiculous claim that the photos are somehow fake and the law at issue is unconstitutional are nothing more than desperate attempts to conjure a defense where none exists.”
In her initial complaint, Jane Doe’s lawyer claims Diddy and the additional defendants “preyed” on her as a high school teenager and ultimately placed her in a sex trafficking scheme that involved “plying her with drugs and alcohol and transporting her by private jet to New York City.”
“As a result of being raped by Mr. Combs, Mr. Pierre and the Third Assailant, Ms. Doe suffered significant emotional distress and feels of shame that have plagued her life and personal relationships for 20 years,” the complaint alleged.
The woman decided to come forward after reading about another lawsuit filed by Casandra Ventura, the R&B star known as Cassie, who accused Combs of raping her and beating her for over a decade. Combs quickly settled the lawsuit with Ventura, while maintaining his innocence.
Combs also issued his response in early December writing, “For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
Following the news of the first three allegations, Combs stepped aside as chairman of Revolt, the music-themed TV network he founded in 2013.
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