Sean “Diddy” Combs won a partial victory in his legal battle with music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones after a New York judge dismissed several claims made by Jones, who accused the music mogul of sexual assault.
Jones filed a bombshell $30 million civil lawsuit against Combs last year in Manhattan federal court.
But according to legal documents obtained Monday, March 24 by People, the judge in the case threw out five of the nine claims Lil Rod brought against Diddy, including allegations of racketeering (RICO), infliction of emotional distress, and breach of contract.
In terms of breach of contract, Jones said he wasn’t paid for producing nine tracks on Diddy’s 2023 release, The Love Album: Off the Grid.
But the judge noted that New York’s statute of frauds says a contract that can’t be performed within one year is unenforceable unless it is in writing.
Related: Diddy’s ‘Right Hand’ Kristina Khorram Finally Addresses ‘Horrific Accusations’
Jones’ claim under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) against Combs Global was also dismissed.
However, the judge let the TVPA allegation stand against Diddy and his former chief of staff Kristina Khorram.
The judge ruled Lil Rod’s lawsuit includes specific examples of incidents that Combs allegedly “recruited or enticed Jones to solicit and perform sex acts with commercial workers,” and the mogul allegedly “transported Jones across state and international borders to do so.”
In the lawsuit, Jones alleged he was forced to find sex workers and perform sex acts with them for Combs’ viewing pleasure, as previously reported.
On Monday, the judge also criticized the music producer’s attorney Tyrone Blackburn for his “unsettling” conduct, writing: “Blackburn’s filings are replete with inaccurate statements of law, conclusory accusations, and inappropriate ad hominem attacks on opposing counsel.”
The case is expected to move forward to trial. In a statement to TMZ, Blackburn said he was pleased.
“A win is a win. Playtime is over — we look forward to discovery. I hope the defendants are ready,” Blackburn stated.
In his initial 73-page complaint filed on Feb. 26, 2024, Jones alleged while working with Combs, he traveled the world and witnessed sex trafficking, the illegal distribution of guns and drugs, and was the victim of “constant unsolicited and unauthorized groping and touching of his anus.”
Jones said he took his concerns to Khorram, but was told the alleged assaults against him were “horseplay.” He also claimed Diddy would shower in front of him and walked around naked.
Diddy denied the allegations in the lawsuit, calling them “pure fiction.”
In March 2024, the music producer filed an amended complaint alleging Diddy had drug mules transporting “pink cocaine” for him, and women on his payroll for sex work.
Diddy is currently jailed awaiting trial on criminal racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution counts. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Jury selection in his federal trial is scheduled to begin on May 5, with the trial tentatively set to start on May 12.
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