Case #152923/2025 · Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York

Tina McKenney v. Sean Combs et al

Filed February 28, 2025
Status
Open
Next court date
Nov 19, 2026Motion to withdraw as counsel (Mot. Seq. 3); oral argument, in person, 02:15 PM (NYSCEF Doc. 30)
Last filing
Nov 4, 2026No. 32 · AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE (Motion #003) — Corrected Affirmation of Service of OSC re: Withdrawal of…
Latest dispatch
Nov 3, 2026Justice Stroth Signs Sher Tremonte’s Orders to Show Cause on Withdrawing as Combs’s Counsel in 14 New York Supreme Court Cases; Argument Set for Nov. 19
Judge
Justice Leslie A. Stroth
Contains Sexual Assault · Violence · Gun Threat
Dispatches
November 3, 2026 Justice Stroth Signs Sher Tremonte’s Orders to Show Cause on Withdrawing as Combs’s Counsel in 14 New York Supreme Court Cases; Argument Set for Nov. 19 N.Y. Sup. Ct., N.Y. County · 14 actions before Justice Stroth · Signed Nov. 2, 2026
October 23, 2026 Sher Tremonte Files Proposed Orders to Withdraw as Combs’s Counsel in 14 New York Supreme Court Cases N.Y. Sup. Ct., N.Y. County · 14 actions before Justice Stroth · Filed Oct. 22, 2026
September 28, 2026 McKenney v. Combs: Combs's Deadline to Respond Is on Hold Until the Appeals Are Decided N.Y. Sup. Ct., N.Y. County · Index No. 152923/2025 · Case Status as of September 2026
Parties
Plaintiff
Jane Doe (Tina McKenney) Alleges a sexual assault at gunpoint by Joseph Sherman, described in the complaint as Combs's bodyguard.
Defendants
Sean Combs A male, believed to reside in New York City, currently incarcerated in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Owner and/or controller of the Combs Corporations (Bad Boy entities, Daddy's House, and Combs Global).
Joseph Sherman A male, believed to reside in Westchester County, New York. Employed as Sean Combs' bodyguard and personal aide during the relevant period, operating under Combs' control.
Daddy's House Recordings, Inc.
CE OPCO, LLC
Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings, Inc.
Bad Boy Productions Holdings, Inc.
Bad Boy Books Holdings, Inc.
Bad Boy Entertainment LLC
Bad Boy Productions LLC
Dismissed
Bad Boy Records LLC
Factual Allegations
Disclaimer: allegations as pled by the plaintiff, summarized with the help of AI.

In late 2001, Plaintiff Jane Doe went to a nightclub in New York City near Sean Combs' restaurant, Justin's, to unwind after college classes. She encountered Joseph Sherman, Combs' bodyguard known as 'Big Joe,' whom she recognized due to his romantic involvement with her friend. They partied together, and after several hours, Doe decided to leave. Sherman offered her a ride home in his Cadillac Escalade, which she accepted due to trust in his connection to her friend and his celebrity status. En route, Sherman diverted to his apartment, claiming a brief stop. Doe accompanied him inside to use the restroom. After, Sherman emerged naked, demanded she undress, and when she refused, he retrieved a semi-automatic handgun from a closet. Threatening her life, he forced her into his bedroom and vaginally raped her at gunpoint. During the assault, Doe accidentally dialed her friend, who overheard Sherman’s voice but later refused to believe the rape claim, assuming infidelity. Humiliated and fearful, Doe was driven home by Sherman, dropped off blocks away to conceal her address.

Prayer for Relief

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' real property and assets in New York; and other relief deemed just and proper.

Causes of Action
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION Violation of New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act
Court Dates
DateTypeDescription
Jun 5, 2025 Hearing Order to Show Cause (Mot. Seq. 1); oral argument, in person, 10:00 AM; fully submitted (NYSCEF Doc. 6)
Apr 1, 2026 Other Motion for admission pro hac vice (Mot. Seq. 2); submissions only, no appearance; fully submitted - no opposition
Nov 19, 2026 Hearing Motion to withdraw as counsel (Mot. Seq. 3); oral argument, in person, 02:15 PM (NYSCEF Doc. 30)
Docket
Date No. Description
Feb 28, 2025 1 SUMMONS + COMPLAINT *Corrected*. Curis, A. View PDF
Mar 6, 2025 2 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE ( PROPOSED ) (Motion #001). Curis, A. View PDF
Mar 6, 2025 3 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT (Motion #001). Curis, A. View PDF
Mar 6, 2025 4 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #001) — Declaration. Curis, A. View PDF
Mar 6, 2025 5 RJI -RE: ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE (Motion #001). Curis, A. View PDF
Mar 7, 2025 6 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE (Motion #001). Court User View PDF
Mar 13, 2025 7 STIPULATION - TIME TO ANSWER. Cuccaro, M. View PDF
May 14, 2025 8 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION (Motion #001). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
May 20, 2025 9 STIPULATION - TIME TO ANSWER. Cuccaro, M. View PDF
May 22, 2025 10 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
May 22, 2025 11 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI). Friedman, R. View PDF
May 22, 2025 12 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI). Tremonte, M. View PDF
May 22, 2025 13 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI). Wolff, E. View PDF
Jun 12, 2025 14 STIPULATION - PARTIAL DISCONTINUANCE (POST RJI) — as to BBRLLC Only. Saady, N. View PDF
Aug 14, 2025 15 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #001). Court User View PDF
Aug 19, 2025 16 NOTICE OF ENTRY (Motion #001). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Aug 19, 2025 17 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #001) — Decision and Order (NYSCEF No. 15). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Sep 12, 2025 18 COMPLAINT (AMENDED). Curis, A. View PDF
Feb 26, 2026 19 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #002). Curis, A. View PDF
Feb 26, 2026 20 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT (Motion #002). Curis, A. View PDF
Feb 26, 2026 21 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT (Motion #002). Curis, A. View PDF
Jun 12, 2026 22 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #002). Court User View PDF
Oct 22, 2026 23 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE ( PROPOSED ). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Oct 22, 2026 24 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSED OSC/EXPARTE APP. Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Oct 22, 2026 25 EXHIBIT(S) — Kelly v. Combs, No. 24-CV-8024 (VEC), 2026 WL 3061748 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 13, 2026). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Oct 22, 2026 26 EXHIBIT(S) — Doe v. Combs, et al., No. 24-CV-7778 (JLR), ECF No. 91 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 20, 2026). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Oct 22, 2026 27 EXHIBIT(S) — Doe v. Combs, et al., No. 24-CV-9852 (JLR), ECF No. 67 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 20, 2026). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Oct 22, 2026 28 EXHIBIT(S) — Combs v. Burgess, et al., No. 25-CV-650 (JPC), ECF No. 130 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 21, 2026). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Oct 22, 2026 29 EXHIBIT(S) — Guzel v. Combs, et al., Index No. 152568/2025, NYSCEF Doc. No. 181 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. County Oct. 22, 2026). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Nov 2, 2026 30 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE (Motion #003). Court User View PDF
Nov 2, 2026 31 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE (Motion #003). Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Nov 4, 2026 32 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE (Motion #003) — Corrected Affirmation of Service of OSC re: Withdrawal of Counsel. Cuccaro, M. View PDF
Attorneys
Anthony G. Buzbee
The Buzbee Law Firm
for Jane Doe (Tina McKenney)
Plaintiff
David C. Fortney
The Buzbee Law Firm
for Jane Doe (Tina McKenney)
Plaintiff
Thomas Colby Holler
The Buzbee Law Firm
for Jane Doe (Tina McKenney)
Plaintiff
Lionel Sims III
The Buzbee Law Firm
for Jane Doe (Tina McKenney)
Plaintiff
Mitchell W. Blasio
The Buzbee Law Firm
for Jane Doe (Tina McKenney)
Plaintiff
Andrew Van Arsdale
AVA Law Group
for Jane Doe (Tina McKenney)
Plaintiff
Antigone Curis
Curis Law, PLLC
for Jane Doe (Tina McKenney)
appeared February 28, 2025 Plaintiff
Erica A. Wolff
Sher Tremonte
for Sean Combs
appeared May 22, 2025 Civil Defense
Michael Tremonte
Sher Tremonte
for Sean Combs
appeared May 22, 2025 Civil Defense
Mark Cuccaro
Sher Tremonte
for Sean Combs
appeared March 13, 2025 Civil Defense
Raphael Asher Friedman
Sher Tremonte
for Sean Combs
appeared May 22, 2025 Civil Defense
Nicholas George Saady
Pryor Cashman LLP
for Bad Boy Records LLC
appeared June 12, 2025 Civil Defense
Donald Steven Zakarin
Pryor Cashman LLP
for Bad Boy Records LLC
appeared June 12, 2025 Civil Defense