Diddy Scores Major Win — $60M Lawsuit Collapses in Court

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A federal judge has dismissed nearly all claims brought against Sean “Diddy” Combs in a $60 million lawsuit filed by former Da Band member Sara Rivers, handing the music mogul a significant legal victory.

On Thursday, August 14, Judge Jed Rakoff ruled that 21 of the 22 counts in Rivers’ complaint were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled. The sole surviving claim, Count 15 under the Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act (GMVA), remains on hold while Rakoff waits for a ruling from a higher court that could decide whether such claims can proceed under the statute. Depending on that decision, the final count may also be dismissed.

Following the ruling, a representative for Combs issued a statement to Complex, asserting that “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.”

Rivers, who appeared on MTV’s Making the Band and performed under the name Sara Stokes, filed the lawsuit in February, accusing Combs of sexual harassment, assault, battery, and forcing her to endure “inhumane” working conditions. She sought $60 million in damages. With nearly the entire case now closed, only the question of the GMVA claim’s dismissal remains.

This ruling narrows the scope of Diddy’s ongoing legal battles, which have mounted over the past year, but does not end them. The outcome of the GMVA issue will determine whether Rivers has any path left in this case.