Sean “Diddy” Combs has scored a legal victory after a U.S. judge dismissed several counts in a high-profile sexual assault lawsuit filed by former Making the Band star, Sara Rivers.
This week, Judge Rakoff struck out 22 counts from Rivers’ 148-page complaint, most of them with prejudice—meaning they cannot be refiled. One remaining count was also dismissed, but the court has deferred ruling on whether it will be permanently barred or left open to pursue depending on a Second Circuit decision.
Rivers, however, is refusing to back down. Taking to social media, she insisted she won’t be “silenced” and stressed that her sexual assault claim had not been dismissed outright.
“Don’t think because y’all got all that unlimited amount of baby oil, that y’all gonna slide through this,” Rivers warned in a pointed message at Diddy.
The singer, who gained fame on MTV’s Da Band, is seeking $60 million in damages. Her lawsuit, filed in February 2024, accused Diddy of sexual assault, battery, verbal abuse, racketeering, “inhumane” working conditions, and failure to pay wages.
Diddy’s legal team welcomed the ruling, with attorney Erica Wolff saying:
“From the outset, we have said these claims were meritless, time-barred, and legally deficient. The Court agreed, finding no legal basis to allow them to proceed. We are pleased the Court carefully analyzed and swiftly dismissed these baseless claims.”
While this decision is seen as a win for Diddy, the hip-hop mogul remains entangled in a wider legal storm. He is still facing multiple other civil sexual assault lawsuits and a federal criminal case.
In May, he was found guilty on two counts of transportation for the purposes of prostitution, violations of the Mann Act. He was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.
With his sentencing set for October 3, analysts expect him to face a prison term, especially after his bail applications were denied.
