Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs‘ $100 million defamation lawsuit has hit a new hurdle as his attorneys seek permission to withdraw from the case. The lawyers say Combs has left a “substantial balance” of legal fees, costs and expenses unpaid. They also claim that his lack of communication has made their representation increasingly difficult.
Diddy’s lawyers ask to withdraw from his defamation lawsuit, citing a substantial balance in unpaid fees
According to court documents obtained by Page Six, attorney Michael Tremonte of Sher Tremonte LLP has now asked to withdraw from the case. The motion seeks permission for the firm to stop representing Combs. Tremonte said Combs “is in substantial arrears in paying Sher Tremonte’s legal fees” and has been for “over six months.”
“For many months, while Sher Tremonte has been rendering legal services, Mr. Combs has not remitted any payment for the substantial balance of attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses incurred during Sher Tremonte’s representation of him in this matter,” Tremonte stated.
The attorney also said the situation had damaged their working relationship. His filing claimed their representation “has been rendered unreasonably difficult by Mr. Combs’s lack of cooperation and communication.” This resulted in a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship.”
Tremonte claimed, “Mr. Combs has declined to make himself available for timely, substantive, and direct communications about his cases for over four months.” He asked the court to “grant the instant” motion to withdraw as Combs’ counsel.
Combs filed the original $50 million defamation lawsuit in January 2025. The case names Courtney Burgess, Ariel Mitchell and Nexstar Media Inc., which operates NewsNation. He later amended the suit to seek another $50 million.
Meanwhile, Combs was sentenced to 50 months in prison after being convicted on two counts of transportation for prostitution. He was acquitted of two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and racketeering conspiracy. He is slated to be released on February 5, 2028.
