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Attorneys Withdraw from Sean “Diddy” Combs’ $100 Million Defamation Case Over Unpaid Fees
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Attorney Withdrawal Amid Unpaid Fees
A motion filed in the Southern District of New York asks the court to remove Sher Tremonte LLP from representing Sean “Diddy” Combs in his $100 million defamation lawsuit.
Background of the Defamation Suit
Combs, 56, is pursuing a civil claim against music manager Courtney Burgess, attorney Ariel Mitchell, and Nexstar Media Inc. (operator of NewsNation). The suit alleges that Burgess falsely claimed possession of video evidence showing Combs sexually assaulting minors and other celebrities, claims that were repeated on a NewsNation segment in 2024. The complaint, first filed in January 2025 for $50 million, was amended in August 2025 to seek an additional $50 million, citing “outlandish claims” and “severe reputational harm.”
Data & Statistics
- Legal fees owed: “substantial balance” unpaid for > six months (multiple filings).
- Defamation claim value: $100 million (original $50 million plus amendment).
- Criminal conviction: Two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution; 50-month federal sentence.
- Incarceration: Serving time at Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix, New Jersey.
Official Statements & Responses
Verbatim Quotes
- “As stated in our court filings, we are withdrawing from representing him because he has not paid his long-overdue invoices and has become uncooperative,” — Sher Tremonte, lawyer
- “Mr. Combs has declined to make himself available for timely, substantive, and direct communications about his cases for over four months,” — Sher Tremonte, lawyer
- “At the appropriate time, Jonathan Davis and his firm will be [representing] Mr. Combs in his libel suit against NewsNation,” — Juda Engelmayer
- “He's just another hater in a long list of people trying to get in on the money gravy train encouraged by personal injury lawyers. Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone--and that includes any child! These allegations will be disproved like all the rest,” — Juda Engelmayer
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Combs’ projected release date. NBC News cites a scheduled release of May 8, 2028 per Federal Bureau of Prisons records, while Page Six reports a February 2028 release date. No court-issued date has been confirmed, leaving the exact timing uncertain. Additionally, while the motion to withdraw is public, the court’s decision and any subsequent scheduling of a hearing have not been disclosed.
What’s Next
The filing requests that the court grant the motion to withdraw. A conference to discuss next steps in the defamation case was scheduled for a Thursday afternoon (date not specified). The outcome will determine whether Combs must retain new counsel to continue pursuing the $100 million claim while he remains incarcerated.