Diddy’s $400 Million Lawsuit Dismissed: J. Lo’s Involvement Fuels Drama
A male prisoner’s $400 million lawsuit accusing Diddy of sexual assault has been dismissed by a Michigan court after the drama took an unexpected turn involving Jennifer Lopez. Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, the prisoner who filed the case, had alleged that the mogul assaulted him in 1997 at a Holiday Inn. However, the legal proceedings hit a snag when Lopez was unexpectedly pulled into the case, leading to the judge’s final ruling on January 22, 2025.
P. Diddy, Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Judge Rules Lawsuit Barred by Statute of Limitations
According to court documents, the federal judge ruled that Cardello-Smith's lawsuit was filed too late, beyond the statute of limitations. The judge explained that when the alleged assault occurred in 1997, the law allowed just three years to file claims, making Cardello-Smith’s 2024 lawsuit invalid. The court officially dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the accuser cannot bring the same allegations again in the future.
Diddy’s Response and Court Sanctions
While the judge denied Diddy’s request for sanctions against Cardello-Smith, warning him not to file frivolous lawsuits, they made it clear that any future attempts to file similar cases could result in severe restrictions. Diddy’s legal team had argued that the case was part of a pattern of baseless and harassing lawsuits against the rapper-turned-business mogul.
The court also dismissed Diddy’s request for monetary sanctions against Cardello-Smith for legal fees, although the judge stated that this could be reconsidered depending on future actions.
The Allegations: A Bizarre Claim of Assault
Cardello-Smith’s lawsuit painted a shocking picture, claiming that he met Diddy while working as a bartender in Detroit. He said that the rapper invited him to a sex party at a Holiday Inn, where he was allegedly drugged. According to Cardello-Smith, after falling unconscious, he awoke to find Diddy engaged in sexual activity with a woman and allegedly told him, “I did this to you too!” The lawsuit also included a bizarre claim that government officials helped cover up the assault.
Diddy has vehemently denied all allegations, with his legal team asserting that Cardello-Smith’s claims were inconsistent and full of contradictions. In two separate lawsuits filed in two different courts, Cardello-Smith had stated the alleged assault occurred in two different counties on the same day.
J. Lo’s Unexpected Role in the Drama
Weeks before the judge dismissed the case, Cardello-Smith indicated that he planned to call Diddy’s former girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, as a witness. He claimed that Jennifer, who was romantically involved with Diddy several years after the alleged assault, could have crucial information related to his claims. The involvement of Lopez, however, only complicated the legal proceedings, ultimately contributing to the case's collapse.
Diddy’s Legal Team Strikes Back
Diddy’s team slammed Cardello-Smith’s accusations, describing him as a “fraud” and a “sexual predator.” They also pointed out Cardello-Smith’s criminal history, which includes convictions for sexual assault and kidnapping over the past 26 years. The lawyer went further, stating that Diddy had never heard of Cardello-Smith and had never been served with any formal lawsuit.
Cardello-Smith has a lengthy history of filing lawsuits, and Diddy’s attorneys have accused him of using the legal system as a means to extort money. The legal battle, while temporarily settled, may not be over, especially with the possibility of more motions or lawsuits in the future.
In the midst of these allegations, Diddy continues to maintain his innocence, with his legal team now focusing on stopping Cardello-Smith’s relentless lawsuits. Meanwhile, Cardello-Smith remains behind bars, facing his own legal troubles, including charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, which he has pleaded not guilty to.
This latest turn in the case only adds fuel to the ongoing drama surrounding the high-profile figures involved. With the lawsuits now dismissed, both Diddy and Cardello-Smith’s legal battles are far from over, and the public remains keenly interested in the next developments.
