In a significant legal win, Sean “Diddy” Combs had a $400 million sexual assault lawsuit filed by Michigan prisoner Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith dismissed by a federal judge.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, the case was dismissed with prejudice due to Michigan’s statute of limitations.
This means the claims—centered on an alleged incident in 1997—are time-barred, and Cardello-Smith is permanently barred from refiling the lawsuit.
Case Details and Dismissal
Cardello-Smith alleged that during a 1997 Holiday Inn party, Diddy spiked his drink, causing him to lose consciousness.
He claimed he awoke to find Diddy engaged with a woman and later allegedly heard Diddy say, “I did this to you too.”
Diddy’s legal team vehemently denied these allegations, and the court ultimately sided with the defense, citing the expiration of the statute of limitations as the reason for dismissal.
While Diddy’s attorneys requested sanctions to prevent Cardello-Smith from filing further lawsuits, the court declined. However, the judge issued a warning against any “duplicative, frivolous, or harassing filings” in the future.
Broader Implications
The dismissal with prejudice not only clears Diddy of these allegations but also serves as a legal precedent reinforcing the importance of statutes of limitations in civil cases.
This outcome highlights the courts’ efforts to protect defendants from stale claims while maintaining judicial efficiency.
Diddy’s legal team has not commented further on the matter, but this decision marks the end of this particular legal battle for the music mogul.
