Diddy Ordered to Pay $100 Million in Default Judgment to Michigan Inmate Over Alleged 1997 Sexual Assault
A recent ruling in Michigan has put Sean “Diddy” Combs in the spotlight for a civil lawsuit involving a $100 million default judgment, stemming from a 1997 allegation of sexual assault. This judgment, issued by the Lenawee County Circuit Court, comes after a Michigan inmate, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, filed a lawsuit claiming that Combs drugged and assaulted him during a party in Detroit.
Cardello-Smith, currently serving a lengthy prison sentence for unrelated crimes, filed his civil lawsuit against Combs in June. The case centers on allegations that during a 1997 party, Combs offered Cardello-Smith a drink that rendered him unconscious. Cardello-Smith contends that while he was incapacitated, Combs sexually assaulted him. He supported his claims with prison visitation records showing that Combs had visited him and alleged that he was offered a $2.3 million settlement, which Cardello-Smith rejected.
Cardello-Smith's claims were also bolstered by an alleged "agreement of silence and confidentiality," purportedly signed by Combs, local police, and other parties to cover up the incident. Although the validity of this document is questionable, it forms part of the context for the lawsuit. Cardello-Smith has argued that this agreement, along with alleged bribery of law enforcement, prevented him from pursuing justice sooner.
The court's decision to issue a default judgment came after Combs failed to respond to the legal proceedings. In legal terms, a default judgment is rendered when a defendant does not take required legal actions, such as appearing in court or responding to a summons, effectively forfeiting their right to contest the case. The court then decides in favor of the other party, often granting them the relief or remedy they sought in their complaint. In this case, Combs did not attend a virtual hearing on August 7, which led the court to rule in favor of Cardello-Smith by default.
As reported by the Detroit Metro Times, the judgment stipulates that Combs must pay the awarded $100 million in monthly installments of $10 million, starting October 1.
This judgment adds to the growing list of legal troubles for Combs, who has faced various sexual misconduct claims over the years.
