Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault
Diddy secured a significant legal victory in his defamation case against lawyer Ariel Mitchell and her client Courtney Burgess. Burgess made explosive claims about the music mogul, alleging that he had videos showing Diddy sexually assaulting minors and celebrities.
Judge rejects Ariel Mitchell’s bid to dismiss Diddy’s lawsuit
Mitchell asked the court to dismiss Diddy’s lawsuit, but US District Judge John Cronan has declined to do so. The court ruled that her arguments were not strong enough to warrant ending the case. In a September 4 order, the judge stated that claims alleging Diddy sexually assaulted people and secretly recorded sexual partners have “precise meanings that are readily understood,” reports TMZ.
Diddy filed the defamation lawsuit on January 22, 2025. The case was brought in a New York federal court and initially sought $50 million in damages. Later, the amount was increased to $100 million. The lawsuit also named NewsNation’s parent company, Nexstar Media. Diddy accused them of promoting “outlandish claims” and “baseless speculation.” He claimed the statements were designed to satisfy the public’s desire for “wild lies.”
Mitchell previously spoke to the outlet about the matter, saying, “This is just a pathetic ploy to silence victims and people who stand up for victims. Diddy has time to sue but refuses to accept service for the lawsuits already filed against him. I look forward to countersuing and ensuring the court punishes not only Diddy but also his lawyers who filed this pathetic lawsuit for this frivolous and meritless filing.”
Combs is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence after facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution. A court hearing to determine the next steps in the case is scheduled for September 17.
Have you or someone you love been sexually assaulted or abused? You are not alone. Contact RAINN 24/7 to connect with a real, live person who’s trained to help. https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/.
