Lawyers representing the record label mentioned in a lawsuit accusing Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual abuse have requested a federal judge to speed up the process of dismissing their clients from the case. The attorney for the label, UMG Recordings and its Motown Records division, argued that the allegations against the label and its executives should be dismissed as an attempt to connect Combs to the case. The lawsuit, filed by Rodney Jones and amended by his lawyer, Tyrone Blackburn, has faced resistance from the record company, which is seeking to deny further revisions.
In response to the lawsuit, record executives have issued sworn statements disputing Jones’ version of events. Additionally, the record label has denied any ownership stake in Combs’ Love Records label, where Jones worked for about a year. Former Motown CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam was initially named in the lawsuit but has since been dropped. She described the allegations against the record label as false and upsetting, also accusing Jones’ legal team of seeking a false declaration from her. Jones has blamed lax security at a music studio event on the record label, insinuating Combs could have been involved.
Experts believe the government’s involvement, including search warrants for Combs’ homes, suggests they have probable cause for a grand jury indictment. Former NYPD officer Derrick Parker, who investigated Combs in the past, noted that government agencies like Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York would only become involved if substantial evidence was found. Combs, despite various lawsuits and the federal investigation, has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. His lawyer dismissed Jones’ lawsuit as “pure fiction,” claiming it was an attempt to seek an undeserved payday.
Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie, sued him in November alleging rape and other abuse, settling the case a day later without Combs admitting wrongdoing. However, since then, at least four others have sued him for similar abuse allegations, including Jones and three other women, one of whom alleges she was underage at the time of the incidents. The mounting legal pressure against Combs, including the federal investigation, has not led to any criminal charges being filed against him. Despite the allegations, Combs has maintained his innocence and rejected all claims made against him as false.
The legal battle has seen attorney Donald Zakarin representing the record label in attempts to dismiss the allegations connecting Combs to the case. Zakarin argued that Jones’ inclusion of the recording giant was an attempt to connect Combs to the lawsuit unjustly. Jones’ lawyer, Blackburn, has faced resistance in seeking to amend the lawsuit, with the record label pushing back against further revisions. The case has attracted media attention and scrutiny, with experts weighing in on the potential implications of the federal investigation and the search warrants issued for Combs’ properties.
The lawsuit against Combs, coupled with his ex-girlfriend’s allegations and other accusers coming forward, has led to increased scrutiny and legal challenges for the music mogul. The involvement of government agencies like Homeland Security and ongoing investigations have added complexity to the legal battle. Despite maintaining his innocence and denying all allegations, Combs continues to face mounting legal pressure and allegations of abuse. The legal proceedings involving the record label, executives, and Combs himself are ongoing, with lawyers on both sides working to present their cases and seek resolutions in court.
