A Michigan court has ordered rapper and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs to pay more than $100 million in a sexual assault case. The ruling came from Lenawee County Circuit Court Judge Anna Marie Anzalone, who issued a default judgment against Combs after he failed to appear in court.
The lawsuit was filed by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, who accused Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting him in Detroit in 1997. Judge Anzalone ordered Combs, 54, to pay $100,000,310.40 in damages to Cardello-Smith. According to local reports, Cardello-Smith’s motion for default judgment was granted when Combs did not attend the scheduled hearing.
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly (EW), Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, described Cardello-Smith as a “convicted felon and sexual predator,” adding that Combs had no knowledge of the plaintiff or the lawsuit. Agnifilo expressed confidence that the judgment would be quickly dismissed.
Public records show that Cardello-Smith, 51, is currently incarcerated at the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility, serving 14 sentences related to criminal sexual conduct.
This is not the first time Combs has faced accusations of sexual misconduct. Since November 2023, multiple allegations have surfaced, beginning with a lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie, who accused him of rape and physical abuse. Combs has vehemently denied the allegations, though a video surfaced showing him physically assaulting Cassie at a hotel in 2016.
In response to the video, Combs acknowledged his actions in an emotional Instagram post, stating, “I was messed up. I hit rock bottom. But there are no excuses. My behavior in that video is inexcusable.”
Combs also faces allegations from music producer Rodney Jones Jr., who accused him of groping, and former adult film actress Adria English, who alleged that Combs forced her into prostitution. Combs’ legal team has denied all claims, calling them “baseless” and “pure fiction.” Attorney Jonathan Davis stated, “No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone.”
Amid these controversies, pop star Kesha removed lyrics referencing Combs from her 2009 hit song “Tik Tok.” Kesha herself has faced a lengthy legal battle after filing a sexual assault lawsuit against producer Dr. Luke, which concluded with a settlement in June 2023.
Despite the mounting legal challenges, Combs remains confident