Sean “Diddy” Combs has initiated a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Courtney Burgess, her attorney Ariel Mitchell, and Nexstar Media Group, the parent company of NewsNation. The lawsuit, filed on January 22 in the Southern District of New York, alleges that the defendants fabricated and broadcast false claims about Combs to benefit financially.
The legal action centers around allegations aired by Billboard, which reportedly suggested that Combs possessed videos implicating him in sexual misconduct with celebrities and minors. Combs’ legal team asserts these accusations were baseless and improperly investigated, leading to significant harm to his reputation and economic interests.
According to Us Weekly, the lawsuit claims that the defendants’ actions have compromised Combs’ right to a fair trial. Combs is currently in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, allegations he firmly denies.
One of the lawsuit’s key disputes involves claims made by Burgess, who allegedly asserted that Kim Porter, Combs’ late ex-partner, provided her with incriminating material. Combs’ attorneys have labeled these claims as fabricated.
The lawsuit also accuses attorney Ariel Mitchell of filing multiple lawsuits against Combs and amplifying defamatory allegations through media appearances. NewsNation is alleged to have aired these claims without proper verification, a move that Combs’ legal team contends was irresponsible and damaging.
The complaint further alleges that the defendants financially benefited from spreading these falsehoods. Burgess is accused of profiting from a fabricated memoir, while Mitchell reportedly leveraged media exposure tied to the allegations. Nexstar Media Group, as NewsNation’s parent company, faces criticism for failing to ensure the veracity of the claims before broadcasting them.
As reported by the outlet, Combs is seeking damages of no less than $50 million, including punitive damages. He has also demanded a jury trial to resolve the matter. In response to the lawsuit, Ariel Mitchell dismissed it as “pathetic” and indicated plans to file a countersuit.
This legal battle marks a significant development in the ongoing controversies surrounding Combs, who continues to deny all allegations and fight to protect his reputation in both legal and public arenas.