Diddy scored another partial win in court this week, but his legal troubles are far from over.
Court records obtained by Complex reveal that Dawn Richard has dropped her claims against 10 of Diddy’s companies in her $3.5 million lawsuit. The list includes Daddy’s House Recording Studio, Bad Boy Entertainment LLC, Bad Boy Records LLC, Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings Inc., Bad Boy Productions Holdings Inc., Bad Boy Books Holdings Inc., 1169 Corp (formerly Sean Combs Music Inc.), Sean Combs Capital LLC, CE OpCo LLC (formerly Combs Enterprises), and UMG Recordings Inc.
Richard’s team dismissed the claims “without prejudice,” leaving the door open to bring them back later. But while those entities are temporarily off the hook, Diddy himself remains firmly in the hot seat. The case moves forward against him, Harve Pierre, Janice Combs Publishing Holdings, Inc., Janice Combs Publishing LLC, and Love Records, Inc. Richard is also preparing a second amended complaint, signaling that things are only heating up.
Diddy’s lawyers told Judge Katherine Polk Failla they don’t object to Richard updating her complaint, though they argued any new claims will be “futile.” They also pointed out that she has already dropped her human trafficking allegation under New York law.
Richard, a former Danity Kane member, has accused Diddy of exploitation and abuse during their time working together. Her claims include being groped, forced to strip during rehearsals, attending meetings where Diddy wore only underwear, enduring sleep and food deprivation, not being paid for her work, and facing death threats and warnings that people who spoke out could “go missing.”
Diddy’s team has strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as false and sensationalized. This case is one of more than 60 lawsuits currently aimed at him, involving allegations of abuse, racketeering, and sex trafficking.
Just this week, Diddy got a break when a judge tossed out 21 of 22 claims in a $60 million sexual assault lawsuit filed by former Da Band member Sara Rivers, ruling most were too old to pursue. Back in July, he was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges in federal court but convicted of two counts tied to transporting individuals for prostitution. His sentencing is scheduled for October 3.
