A federal judge has dismissed one of the lawsuits against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs after the anonymous plaintiff failed to refile her complaint using her real name.
The case, initially filed under the pseudonym Jane Doe in October 2024, alleged that Combs had assaulted the woman at a party in 1995. However, on Monday, March 31, 2025, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that the lawsuit could not proceed unless the plaintiff complied with a prior court order requiring her to disclose her identity.
According to court documents, the plaintiff was ordered on March 6, 2025, to refile her complaint under her real name by March 20, 2025. She failed to meet this deadline and did not request an extension. As a result, the judge dismissed the lawsuit entirely.
Combs’ legal team welcomed the decision, criticizing what they described as a pattern of anonymous lawsuits lacking legal merit. “For months, we have seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by attorneys more focused on media headlines than legal merit,” they stated.
The lawsuit was one of several filed against Combs in recent months, many of them led by high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee. The Houston-based lawyer had announced that he was representing numerous individuals accusing Combs of sexual misconduct.
Following the dismissal, Combs’ attorneys took aim at Buzbee’s legal team, emphasizing that this was the second lawsuit against Combs that had been thrown out. “It will not be the last,” the legal team asserted.
Despite this legal victory, Combs still faces multiple lawsuits alleging misconduct. He has consistently denied all accusations.
In addition to the civil lawsuits, Combs is also facing serious federal criminal charges. He was indicted in September 2024 on allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering. The music mogul has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. His criminal trial is set to begin in May 2025. Meanwhile, he remains in custody in Brooklyn after being denied bail.
