Not-so-good news for Diddy: the business mogul’s legal troubles continue to escalate, and it appears the situation is getting worse.
Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, the man who accused Diddy of sexual assault, has secured a staggering $100 million judgment after the rapper reportedly failed to contest the allegations in a Michigan civil court. Cardello-Smith, 51, filed the lawsuit detailing his encounter with Combs while working in the restaurant and hospitality industry near Detroit.
So, what exactly happened in this case? Cardello-Smith alleged that he was drugged and sexually assaulted by Combs at a party in Detroit back in 1997. Currently incarcerated, Cardello-Smith pursued legal action regarding the alleged attack and provided evidence showing Combs’s name in a prison visitation log.
During a preliminary court hearing conducted virtually on August 7, Cardello-Smith testified that Combs offered him $2.3 million to drop his lawsuit, a settlement he ultimately rejected. Following this, Lenawee County Circuit Court Judge Anna Marie Anzalone issued an order restraining Combs from selling any assets that could potentially help cover any damages awarded to Cardello-Smith.
The situation took a decisive turn when Combs failed to appear at a virtual hearing related to Cardello-Smith’s lawsuit on Monday. Consequently, Judge Anzalone awarded a default judgment of $100 million to the plaintiff, the Metro Times reports.
At this point, it remains unclear how easily Cardello-Smith will be able to collect the judgment against Combs. Currently, Cardello-Smith is serving time at the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility due to multiple previous convictions of criminal sexual misconduct. Notably, he has taught himself criminal and civil law during his incarceration and has developed a reputation for challenging the judicial system through various lawsuits, according to the news site.
For Diddy, this case adds to a growing list of legal battles he faces. As previously reported, he has been inundated with lawsuits over similar accusations, including a significant settlement with his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
As of now, Diddy has not publicly commented on this latest legal development.
