LENAWEE COUNTY, MI. (THECOUNT) — In a shocking legal turn, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, a 51-year-old Michigan inmate, has been awarded a $100 million default judgment against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Cardello-Smith claims that the hip-hop mogul drugged and sexually assaulted him nearly 30 years ago at a Detroit afterparty. The judgment was handed down by a Lenawee County Circuit Court during a virtual hearing on Monday, September 9, after Combs, 54, failed to attend.
Cardello-Smith, who is currently serving a sentence of up to 75 years in prison on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping, filed a lawsuit against Combs in June 2024. His allegations date back to 1997, when he claims to have met Combs at a Detroit Holiday Inn afterparty. According to Cardello-Smith, the two, along with two women, went to a private hotel room where Combs allegedly touched him inappropriately while he was engaging in sexual activity with one of the women. Cardello-Smith alleges that Combs offered him a drink, after which he began to feel drowsy and eventually passed out. He later woke up in pain and bleeding, realizing that he had been sexually assaulted.
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Court records indicate that a police report was allegedly filed by Cardello-Smith following the incident, though details about any investigation that may have taken place remain unclear. Cardello-Smith, who taught himself criminal and civil law during his time behind bars, has a long history of legal battles. He is known for filing lawsuits and challenging the judicial system. The Detroit Metro Times reported that Cardello-Smith successfully obtained a temporary restraining order against Combs in August, preventing the sale of any of Combs’ assets that could be used to compensate him for potential damages.
Despite the default judgment, Combs’ legal team is staunchly defending the star’s innocence. Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney, called the judgment a result of fraud and pointed out that Combs had never been served with the lawsuit. Agnifilo stated, “This man is a convicted felon and sexual predator, who has been sentenced on 14 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping over the last 26 years. His resume now includes committing a fraud on the court from prison, as Mr. Combs has never heard of him let alone been served with any lawsuit. Mr. Combs looks forward to having this judgment swiftly dismissed.”
The case has brought renewed attention to the multiple sexual assault lawsuits currently facing Combs. While Cardello-Smith’s case may be the most recent to make headlines, Combs is also dealing with other accusations of sexual misconduct. Through it all, Combs has maintained his innocence. His attorney, Jonathan Davis, reiterated this position in a statement to PEOPLE: “No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone. We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason and without any proof. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth, and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail against these and other baseless claims in court.”
Adding another layer to the controversy surrounding Combs, federal agents conducted a raid on his properties in March 2024. According to Homeland Security Investigations, the raid was part of an ongoing investigation, although details remain scarce. Just a day before the latest judgment, Combs listed one of his properties for sale, further fueling speculation.
The judgment in favor of Cardello-Smith may only be a temporary victory, as Combs’ legal team is confident the ruling will be overturned. Nevertheless, the allegations and the ongoing lawsuits create a complex web of legal issues for the entertainment mogul, whose career has spanned decades of success in the music industry.
For Cardello-Smith, this judgment represents a significant legal win, but his past criminal convictions cast doubt on his credibility in the eyes of many. Regardless, the case continues to draw attention to the broader issue of sexual assault allegations in the entertainment industry, where powerful figures like Combs often face public scrutiny over their personal lives.
As the legal battles continue to unfold, both sides seem prepared for a lengthy court fight, with Combs determined to clear his name and Cardello-Smith seeking justice for the alleged 1997 assault.
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