Case #151604/2025 · Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York

John Doe v. Sean Combs et al

Filed February 03, 2025
Status
Dismissed Dismissal, August 27, 2025
Last filing
Aug 27, 2025No. 51 · EXHIBIT(S) - A (Motion #002) — Decision and Order (NYSCEF No. 45)
Judge
Justice Leslie A. Stroth
Contains Sexual Assault · Violence · Drugging
Parties
Plaintiff
John Doe Alleges being drugged and sexually assaulted at an after-party in Los Angeles.
Defendants
Sean Combs A male believed to reside in New York City, currently incarcerated in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, owner/controller of various Combs Corporations.
Daddy's House Recordings Inc. A New York corporation with its principal place of business now at 9255 Sunset Boulevard, 2nd Floor, West Hollywood, California 90069; Combs listed as CEO.
CE OPCO, LLC d/b/a Combs Global A Delaware LLC with its principal place of business at 9255 Sunset Boulevard, 2nd Floor, West Hollywood, California 90069, an alter ego/successor for Combs’ ventures.
Bad Boy Entities Multiple entities (Entertainment Holdings, Productions Holdings, Books Holdings, Records LLC, etc.) incorporated in New York or Delaware, now primarily based at 9255 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California or 1440 Broadway, New York, controlled by Combs and/or Combs Global.
Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings, Inc.
Bad Boy Productions Holdings, Inc.
Bad Boy Books Holdings, Inc.
Bad Boy Records LLC
Bad Boy Entertainment LLC
Appeal
John Doe v. Sean Combs et al (Appeal) No. 2025-03002 · Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, First Department · filed May 9, 2025 · Pending
Factual Allegations
Disclaimer: allegations as pled by the plaintiff, summarized with the help of AI.

In 2015, John Doe, a 23-year-old aspiring rapper and singer, was gaining traction in California’s music scene, securing opportunities to open for well-known artists. At a performance at QC’s 20/20 nightclub in Southeast Los Angeles, Sean Combs attended, representing Bad Boy Records, which supplied Ciroc vodka. A Combs associate promised Doe a record deal and studio time if he impressed Combs, who watched his set. At the after-party in the club’s VIP section, Doe consumed a Ciroc drink from Combs, soon feeling lightheaded and losing consciousness, realizing he was drugged (likely with GHB). While semi-conscious, he saw Combs and his entourage in group sexual activity; Combs then groped him and performed oral sex while Doe was incapacitated. Threatened by Combs with career ruin, Doe feigned compliance but escaped after excusing himself to the restroom, driving away in his car. The assault caused pain, anguish, and derailed his music career due to fear and industry disillusionment.

Prayer for Relief

Plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, psychological harm, anxiety, humiliation, pain and suffering, and other harms; punitive damages; attorneys’ fees and costs; pre- and post-judgment interest; attachment of Defendants’ New York property/assets under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 64; and any other relief deemed just by the court.

Causes of Action
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION Sexual Battery California Civil Code § 1708.5 (All Defendants)
Disposition
Dismissal — August 27, 2025

Plaintiff's claims are time-barred under all theories of liability.

Court Dates
DateTypeDescription
Mar 12, 2025 Hearing Motion for injunction/restraining order (Mot. Seq. 1); oral argument, in person, 10:00 AM; fully submitted (NYSCEF Doc. 7)
Jun 12, 2025 Other Defendant Bad Boy Records LLC's Notice of Motion to Dismiss (Mot. Seq. 2); submissions only, no appearance; fully submitted
Jul 25, 2025 Other Motion to dismiss (Mot. Seq. 3); submissions only, no appearance; fully submitted
Aug 4, 2025 Other Combs Defendants Motion for Leave to Renew Plaintiff John Does Motion Seeking Leave to Litigate Anonymously (Mot. Seq. 4); submissions only, no appearance; fully submitted
Docket
Date No. Description
Feb 3, 2025 1 SUMMONS *Corrected*. Curis, A. View PDF
Feb 3, 2025 2 COMPLAINT *Corrected*. Curis, A. View PDF
Feb 5, 2025 3 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE ( PROPOSED ) (Motion #001). Curis, A. View PDF
Feb 5, 2025 4 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSED OSC/EXPARTE APP (Motion #001). Curis, A. View PDF
Feb 5, 2025 5 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #001) — Declaration of Anthony G. Buzbee. Curis, A. View PDF
Feb 5, 2025 6 RJI -RE: ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE (Motion #001). Curis, A. View PDF
Feb 7, 2025 7 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE (Motion #001). Court User View PDF
Feb 11, 2025 8 STIPULATION - TIME TO ANSWER. Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Mar 3, 2025 9 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI). Friedman, R. View PDF
Mar 3, 2025 10 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION (Motion #001). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Apr 10, 2025 11 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #001). Court User View PDF
Apr 11, 2025 12 NOTICE OF ENTRY (Motion #001). Curis, A. View PDF
Apr 11, 2025 13 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #001) — Decision & Order. Curis, A. View PDF
Apr 18, 2025 14 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) — Notice of Appearance of Donald S. Zakarin on behalf Defendant Bad Boy Records LLC. Zakarin, D. View PDF
Apr 18, 2025 15 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) — Notice of Appearance of William L. Charron on behalf of Bad Boy Records LLC. Charron, W. View PDF
Apr 18, 2025 16 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) — Notice of Appearance of Nicholas G. Saady on behalf of Bad Boy Records LLC. Saady, N. View PDF
Apr 18, 2025 17 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) — Notice of Appearance of Nathaniel H. Kazlow on behalf of Bad Boy Records LLC. Kazlow, N. View PDF
Apr 18, 2025 18 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) — Notice of Appearance of Alexandra M. Peterson on behalf of Bad Boy Records LLC. Peterson, A. View PDF
Apr 25, 2025 19 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #003) *Corrected*. Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Apr 25, 2025 20 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT (Motion #003). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Apr 25, 2025 21 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #002) — Defendant Bad Boy Records LLC's Notice of Motion to Dismiss. Zakarin, D. View PDF
Apr 25, 2025 22 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT (Motion #002) — MOL ISO BBRLLC MTD. Zakarin, D. View PDF
Apr 25, 2025 23 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #002) — Zakarin Affirmation ISO BBRLLC MTD. Zakarin, D. View PDF
Apr 25, 2025 24 EXHIBIT(S) - A (Motion #002) — Exhibit A to Zakarin Affirmation. Zakarin, D. View PDF
Apr 25, 2025 25 EXHIBIT(S) - B (Motion #002) — Exhibit B to Zakarin Affirmation. Zakarin, D. View PDF
Apr 25, 2025 26 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #002) — Bellarosa Affirmation ISO BBRLLC MTD. Zakarin, D. View PDF
Apr 25, 2025 27 EXHIBIT(S) - A (Motion #002) — Exhibit A to Bellarosa Affirmation. Zakarin, D. View PDF
May 6, 2025 28 STIPULATION - ADJOURNMENT OF MOTION -IN SUBMISSIONS PART -RM 130 (Motion #003). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
May 9, 2025 29 NOTICE OF APPEAL. Cuccaro, M. View PDF
May 9, 2025 30 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 — Notice of Entry dated April 11, 2025. Cuccaro, M. View PDF
May 9, 2025 31 PRELIMINARY APPEAL STATEMENT. Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Jun 5, 2025 32 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION (Motion #002). Curis, A. View PDF
Jun 5, 2025 33 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #002) — Decision & Order. Curis, A. View PDF
Jun 11, 2025 34 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN REPLY (Motion #002). Saady, N. View PDF
Jun 25, 2025 35 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION (Motion #003). Curis, A. View PDF
Jun 25, 2025 36 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #003) — Decision & Order. Curis, A. View PDF
Jul 18, 2025 37 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #004). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Jul 18, 2025 38 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT (Motion #004) — Memorandum of Law in Support of Combs Defendants Motion for Leave to Renew Plaintiff John Does Motio. Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Jul 22, 2025 39 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE. Saady, N. View PDF
Jul 23, 2025 40 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE (Motion #004). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Jul 24, 2025 41 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN REPLY (Motion #003). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Jul 24, 2025 42 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE (Motion #003). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Jul 28, 2025 43 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION (Motion #004). Curis, A. View PDF
Aug 1, 2025 44 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN REPLY (Motion #004). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Aug 27, 2025 45 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #002). Court User View PDF
Aug 27, 2025 46 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #003). Court User View PDF
Aug 27, 2025 47 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #004). Court User View PDF
Aug 26, 2025 48 NOTICE OF ENTRY (Motion #003). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Aug 26, 2025 49 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #003) — Decision and Order (NYSCEF No. 46). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Aug 27, 2025 50 NOTICE OF ENTRY (Motion #002) — Notice of Entry ( Motion #002). Zakarin, D. View PDF
Aug 27, 2025 51 EXHIBIT(S) - A (Motion #002) — Decision and Order (NYSCEF No. 45). Zakarin, D. View PDF
Attorneys
Anthony G. Buzbee
The Buzbee Law Firm
for John Doe
Plaintiff
David C. Fortney
The Buzbee Law Firm
for John Doe
Plaintiff
Thomas Colby Holler
The Buzbee Law Firm
for John Doe
Plaintiff
Lionel Sims III
The Buzbee Law Firm
for John Doe
Plaintiff
Andrew Van Arsdale
AVA Law Group
for John Doe
Plaintiff
Antigone Curis
Curis Law, PLLC
for John Doe
appeared February 3, 2025 Plaintiff
Erica A. Wolff
Sher Tremonte
for Sean Combs
Civil Defense
Mark Cuccaro
Sher Tremonte
for Sean Combs, Daddy's House Recordings Inc., CE OPCO, LLC d/b/a Combs Global
appeared February 11, 2025 Civil Defense
Raphael Asher Friedman
Sher Tremonte
for Sean Combs, Daddy's House Recordings Inc., CE OPCO, LLC d/b/a Combs Global
appeared March 3, 2025 Civil Defense
William Laurence Charron
Pryor Cashman LLP
for Bad Boy Records LLC
appeared April 18, 2025 Civil Defense
Nicholas George Saady
Pryor Cashman LLP
for Bad Boy Records LLC
appeared April 18, 2025 Civil Defense
Nathaniel Kazlow
Pryor Cashman LLP
for Bad Boy Records LLC
appeared April 18, 2025 Civil Defense
Donald Steven Zakarin
Pryor Cashman LLP
for Bad Boy Records LLC
appeared April 18, 2025 Civil Defense
Alexandra M. Peterson
Pryor Cashman LLP
for Bad Boy Records LLC
appeared April 18, 2025 Civil Defense