Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs faces multiple sexual misconduct lawsuits, including one by Lisa Gardner, alleging assault in 1990. Gardner’s case, initially filed in New York under the Adult Survivors Act, has taken a turn with the emergence of new evidence and a request to move the lawsuit to New Jersey.
Gardner’s lawsuit accuses Combs and singer Aaron Hall of sexual assault stemming from an encounter after an event at MCA Records. The lawsuit claims Gardner, then 16, was coerced into having sex with Combs and Hall at Hall’s apartment. Following the initial incident, Gardner alleges further assault by Combs at her and her friend’s residence.
While Combs denies the allegations, calling them “fabricated claims” and a “money grab,” recent developments have added complexity to the case. Gardner’s legal team cites “new information” from witnesses, including a former Uptown Records employee and a Bad Boy Records executive. This information, according to the filing, provides context and clarifies the timeline of events.
Sean "Diddy" Combs in a photoshoot
Crucially, the new witnesses place the alleged assault in New Jersey, not New York as initially stated. This geographical discrepancy is the basis for the request to move the lawsuit. Legal experts suggest this jurisdictional shift could be a strategic move by Gardner’s team.
Bradford Cohen, a prominent defense attorney, posits that the move might be intended to circumvent a pending motion to dismiss filed by Combs’ legal team in New York. This strategy could provide Gardner’s team with more time to prepare a response and gather evidence.
Cohen also highlights the gravity of sexual assault allegations, emphasizing the meticulous scrutiny such cases demand. He finds it unusual for a significant detail like the location of the alleged assault to be overlooked, suggesting potential weaknesses in the plaintiff’s case.
Bradford Cohen in a photoshoot
Furthermore, the involvement of Universal Music Group (UMG), named as a defendant in the case, adds another layer. UMG’s attorney has filed a motion urging the court to deny Gardner’s request for an extension to respond to their motion to dismiss. They argue that the complaint is “deficient as a matter of law” and deem the proceedings “frivolous.”
This move to change jurisdictions, potentially in response to UMG’s opposition and the new evidence, has raised eyebrows. The court’s decision on this matter remains pending.
The case shines a light on the complexities of high-profile sexual assault lawsuits. As the legal battle continues, the emergence of new witnesses and the request for a jurisdictional change underscore the fluid nature of the allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs.
