Sean “Diddy” Combs has filed a defamation lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against Courtney Burgess, alleging a campaign of false accusations his team says were intended to harm Combs’ reputation and business ventures.
The complaint, obtained by Newsweek, also names Burgess’ attorney, Ariel Mitchell, and Nextstar Media Inc., the parent company of NewsNation, as co-defendants.
“In this pitiful spectacle, all pretense of objectivity has been abandoned, as a global audience feasts at the all-you-can-eat buffet of wild lies and conspiracy theories,” the complaint says. “Defendants are among the worst perpetrators in this offensive scenario.”
The lawsuit seeks at least $50 million in damages.
Newsweek reached out to Mitchell and Nextar Media for comment via email on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
The lawsuit centers on allegations made by Burgess, who claimed to possess videos of Combs engaging in illicit sexual activities with celebrities and minors.
According to the complaint, Burgess also alleged that these videos were given to him by Kim Porter, Combs’ late former partner and the mother to four of his children. Combs has categorically denied these accusations, asserting that Burgess’ claims are baseless and defamatory.
The claims have drawn widespread media attention, particularly due to their timing; Combs faces federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges in an unrelated case.
The lawsuit alleges that Burgess, with assistance from Mitchell, exploited Combs’ legal troubles for personal and financial gain.
What To Know
Combs’ complaint, filed on Wednesday, accuses Burgess and Mitchell of fabricating and spreading stories to generate media interest.
The suit says the videos in question do not exist and goes on to accuse Burgess and Mitchell of making false statements on platforms including NewsNation, which is owned by Nextstar.
Combs’ lawsuit zeroes in on an October 31, 2024, broadcast of the show “Banfield” on NewsNation, during which Burgess was interviewed.
During the episode, Burgess was introduced and the host said he had testified before a federal grand jury and claimed to possess evidence of Combs’ involvement in “freak offs” and parties where celebrities were victimized.
The lawsuit alleges that NewsNation did not verify Burgess’ statements, amplifying unsubstantiated claims to millions of viewers. Combs alleges that these broadcasts damaged his reputation and caused him financial harm, negatively affected public opinion, and jeopardized his right to a fair trial.
The complaint also casts doubt on Burgess’ claims of a connection to Porter, citing testimonies from Porter’s family, who said they had never heard of Burgess before his claims surfaced.
What People Are Saying
Combs’ legal team accuses NewsNation of failing to uphold journalistic standards: “NewsNation, upon information and belief, conducted no investigation before broadcasting the false allegations, though it easily could have done so.”
What Comes Next
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, with Combs demanding at least $50 million in damages.
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