In a bold legal move, Sean “Diddy” Combs has filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against his accuser Courtney Burgess, her lawyer Ariel Mitchell, and Nextstar Media Group, the parent company of NewsNation.
The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York on January 22, 2025, accuses the defendants of deliberately fabricating and spreading false claims about Combs for personal financial gain.
Combs’ legal team asserts that Burgess and Mitchell falsely claimed to have videos of the music mogul engaging in sexual assault involving celebrities and minors.
These allegations were reportedly amplified on NewsNation, with the network failing to conduct due diligence or reach out to Combs for comment before broadcasting the accusations.
The lawsuit claims that such actions have severely harmed Combs’ reputation and jeopardized his right to a fair trial, as he faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for prostitution. Combs has denied the charges.
According to the lawsuit, Burgess and Mitchell’s claims about the existence of sex tapes are entirely fabricated, with Combs’ lawyers arguing that there is no evidence to support the allegations.
In addition, Burgess allegedly made further claims about Combs being in possession of compromising videos involving his late ex-partner, Kim Porter, despite the fact that no such connection exists.
The complaint also points to Mitchell’s history of making public statements about lawsuits involving Combs, including one filed on behalf of an adult entertainer who claimed to have been sex trafficked by Combs.
The legal filing highlights that Mitchell has openly discussed these cases in the media, further intensifying the damage to Combs’ reputation.
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The suit alleges that all parties involved—Burgess, Mitchell, and NewsNation—have profited from their false accusations.
Burgess is accused of benefiting from a fake memoir involving Porter, while Mitchell’s media presence has reportedly gained traction by promoting these damaging claims.
NewsNation, according to the lawsuit, gained viewership from airing the defamatory segment.
Combs is seeking no less than $50 million in damages, including punitive damages, and is demanding a jury trial.
His attorney, Erica Wolff, stated that the lawsuit was filed to stand up against the “outrageous lies” and to protect Combs’ right to a fair trial.
In response, Mitchell has vowed to countersue, calling the defamation lawsuit “frivolous” and accusing Combs of using the courts to silence victims and their advocates.
She expressed her intention to ensure the court holds Combs and his lawyers accountable for what she deemed a meritless filing.
This legal battle has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing saga surrounding Combs, whose reputation continues to be challenged by multiple accusations.
As the case unfolds, all eyes will be on the court to see how these serious allegations and counterclaims are resolved.
