In a shocking turn of events, Sean “Diddy” Combs has been ordered to pay a $100 million default judgment in a sexual assault lawsuit after failing to appear at a virtual court hearing. The case was brought forward by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, a Michigan inmate who alleges that the hip-hop icon drugged and assaulted him nearly 30 years ago at a party.
Cardello-Smith, now 51 and serving up to 75 years in prison for charges of sexual assault and kidnapping, claimed in his lawsuit that Combs assaulted him at a Detroit afterparty in 1997. According to the complaint, the two met at a Holiday Inn where Combs allegedly gave Cardello-Smith a drink that caused him to lose consciousness. When he woke up, he claimed to have been bleeding and in pain. He also says he filed a police report after the incident, but no further details have emerged regarding any investigation.
On September 9, during a virtual hearing in Lenawee County Circuit Court, the default judgment was granted after Combs, 54, failed to attend. This means that the plaintiff, Cardello-Smith, automatically wins the case in the absence of the defendant.
However, Combs’ legal team was quick to respond. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, issued a statement calling Cardello-Smith a “convicted felon and sexual predator” and dismissed the claims as fraudulent. Agnifilo stressed that Combs had never met Cardello-Smith, let alone been served with any legal papers, and expressed confidence that the judgment would soon be overturned.
Court records show that Cardello-Smith has a history of filing legal challenges while in prison, having reportedly taught himself civil and criminal law. Additionally, the Detroit Metro Times reported that Cardello-Smith had sought and received a temporary restraining order against Combs to prevent the sale of the mogul’s assets, which could be used to satisfy any potential damages.
This lawsuit comes amid a series of legal troubles for Combs, who is currently facing several other sexual assault allegations, though he has consistently maintained his innocence. His attorney, Jonathan Davis, reaffirmed that Combs has never engaged in sexual misconduct or sex trafficking, insisting that the hip-hop star will be vindicated in court.
“Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail against these and other baseless claims in court.”
In the midst of these legal challenges, Combs’ properties were raided by federal agents earlier this year, part of an ongoing investigation. He recently listed one of his homes for sale, just one day before the latest court ruling.
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