Kaylah Walton
A recent legal ruling in Michigan has resulted in the dismissal of a $400 million lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, brought by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, a male inmate who accused the music executive of sexual assault. The case, which was related to Jennifer Lopez’s prior relationship with Diddy, garnered significant media interest before it was dismissed on Wednesday.
Cardello-Smith alleged that Diddy assaulted him in 1997 at a Holiday Inn located in Detroit. The lawsuit was rejected as it was filed too late, exceeding the three-year statute of limitations that was in effect at the time of the alleged event. With the claim submitted in 2024, it was far beyond the deadline to file.
In an interesting twist, Cardello-Smith sought to call Jennifer Lopez as a witness, claiming she held vital information relating to the case because of her relationship with Diddy after the alleged incident. This strategy added complexity to the situation, which contributed to the judge’s dismissal decision.
Strong defense argument
Diddy’s attorneys contended that the lawsuit was part of a pattern of false accusations against him. They pointed out discrepancies in Cardello-Smith’s story, noting that he had made claims in two separate courts, stating the assault took place in different counties on the same day.
The judge chose to dismiss the case but denied Diddy’s request for sanctions against Cardello-Smith. Instead, the judge issued a warning to Cardello-Smith to refrain from initiating baseless lawsuits in the future. The inmate’s significant criminal background, which includes convictions for sexual assault and kidnapping, was also brought to attention during the hearing.
This ruling is a notable victory for Diddy, who continues to face legal challenges. He maintains his innocence and his legal team is focused on mitigating future actions from Cardello-Smith.
