Case #159914/2024 · Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York

John Doe v. Sean Combs et al

Filed October 20, 2024
Status
Dismissed Voluntary Discontinuance Without Prejudice, September 15, 2025
Last filing
Oct 2, 2025No. 79 · DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #005)
Judge
Justice Leslie A. Stroth
Contains Sexual Assault · Drugging · Violence · Minor Involved
Parties
Plaintiff
John Doe Alleges being drugged and sexually assaulted at a hotel party when a minor.
Defendants
Sean Combs A male resident of New York City, currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, founder and controller of the Combs Corporations, a prominent rapper and music executive.
Daddy's House Recordings Inc. A New York corporation with a principal place of business at 9255 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, owned and operated by Combs, formerly a recording studio at 321 W 44th Street, New York, NY.
CE OPCO, LLC d/b/a Combs Global f/k/a Combs Enterprises LLC A Delaware LLC with a principal place of business at 9255 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, an alter ego of Combs overseeing his business ventures.
Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings, Inc. A New York corporation with a principal place of business at 9255 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, part of Combs’ Bad Boy enterprise, controlled by Combs.
Bad Boy Records LLC
Bad Boy Productions Holdings, Inc.
Bad Boy Books Holdings, Inc.
Bad Boy Entertainment LLC
Bad Boy Productions LLC
Appeal
John Doe v. Sean Combs et al (Appeal) No. 2025-03010 · 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 2022, John Doe, a 17-year-old aspiring artist from New York, was recruited by an individual tied to Sean Combs’ enterprises to attend a party at a Manhattan hotel penthouse, promised networking opportunities with industry leaders. Upon arrival, Combs greeted Doe, offered him a drink laced with a drug (later identified as GHB), and assured him of stardom. Doe soon felt dizzy, weak, and confused, realizing he was drugged. Stumbling into another room seeking a restroom, he encountered Combs and others in a group sex scene. Combs forcibly led Doe to a bed, grabbed and manipulated his genitals for an extended period despite Doe’s protests, attempting arousal. Terrified and unaroused, Doe escaped to the bathroom under the pretense of needing it, called a friend for a ride, and fled the hotel. His friend found him disoriented outside, and Doe recounted the assault before passing out in the car. The incident caused severe emotional torment, physical impairment, and ended his music career aspirations due to fear and shame.

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’ New York assets; and other just relief as deemed proper.

Causes of Action
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION Violation of New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act
Disposition
Voluntary Discontinuance Without Prejudice — September 15, 2025

The action is discontinued without prejudice and without costs to either plaintiff or defendants, pursuant to Rule 3217(a)(1) of the New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules. The stipulation may be filed with the Clerk of the Court without further notice.

Court Dates
DateTypeDescription
Nov 18, 2024 Other Motion for admission pro hac vice (Mot. Seq. 2); submissions only, no appearance; fully submitted - no opposition
Nov 18, 2024 Other Motion for admission pro hac vice (Mot. Seq. 3); submissions only, no appearance; fully submitted
Nov 20, 2024 Other Motion for admission pro hac vice (Mot. Seq. 4); submissions only, no appearance; fully submitted - no opposition
Nov 22, 2024 Other Order to Show Cause (Mot. Seq. 1); submissions only, no appearance; adjourned (NYSCEF Doc. 7)
Jan 30, 2025 Hearing Order to Show Cause (Mot. Seq. 1); oral argument, in person, 12:00 PM; decided
Mar 24, 2025 Other The Combs Defendants' Motion to Dismiss the Complaint (Mot. Seq. 5); submissions only, no appearance; adjourned (NYSCEF Doc. 59)
May 23, 2025 Other The Combs Defendants' Motion to Dismiss the Complaint (Mot. Seq. 5); submissions only, no appearance; fully submitted (NYSCEF Doc. 59)
Aug 4, 2025 Other Combs Defendants Motion for Leave to Renew Plaintiff John Does Motion Seeking Leave to Litigate Anonymously (Mot. Seq. 6); submissions only, no appearance; fully submitted
Sep 19, 2025 Status Conference Conference-Status; conference; discontinued (NYSCEF Doc. 78)
Docket
Date No. Description
Oct 20, 2024 1 SUMMONS *Corrected* View PDF
Oct 20, 2024 2 COMPLAINT *Corrected* View PDF
Oct 25, 2024 3 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE ( PROPOSED ) (Motion #001) View PDF
Oct 25, 2024 4 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSED OSC/EXPARTE APP (Motion #001) View PDF
Oct 25, 2024 5 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #001) *Corrected* — Declaration of Anthony G. Buzbee View PDF
Oct 25, 2024 6 RJI -RE: ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE (Motion #001) View PDF
Oct 31, 2024 7 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE (Motion #001) View PDF
Nov 8, 2024 8 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #002) View PDF
Nov 8, 2024 9 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #002) — Affirmation of Antigone Curis, Esq. View PDF
Nov 8, 2024 10 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT (Motion #002) — Affidavit of David Fortney, Esq. View PDF
Nov 8, 2024 11 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #003) View PDF
Nov 8, 2024 12 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #003) — Affirmation of Antigone Curis, Esq. View PDF
Nov 8, 2024 13 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #003) View PDF
Nov 11, 2024 14 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #004) View PDF
Nov 11, 2024 15 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #004) — Affirmation of Antigone Curis, Esq. View PDF
Nov 11, 2024 16 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT (Motion #004) — Affidavit of Christopher J. Leavitt, Esq. View PDF
Nov 11, 2024 17 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #004) — Certificate of Good Standing of Christopher, J. Leavitt, Esq. View PDF
Nov 12, 2024 18 STIPULATION - OTHER - ( REQUEST TO SO ORDER ) (Motion #001) View PDF
Nov 12, 2024 19 STIPULATION - SO ORDERED View PDF
Dec 11, 2024 20 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #002) View PDF
Dec 11, 2024 21 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #003) View PDF
Dec 11, 2024 22 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #004) View PDF
Dec 24, 2024 23 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE — Sean Combs c/o Kings County Sheriff's Office View PDF
Dec 24, 2024 24 STATEMENT OF AUTHORIZATION FOR ELECTRONIC FILING View PDF
Dec 31, 2024 25 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE — Daddy's House Recordings Inc. View PDF
Dec 31, 2024 26 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE — Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings, Inc. View PDF
Dec 31, 2024 27 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE — Bad Boy Productions Holdings, Inc. View PDF
Dec 31, 2024 28 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE — Bad Boy Books Holdings, Inc. View PDF
Dec 31, 2024 29 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE — Bad Boy Entertainment LLC View PDF
Dec 31, 2024 30 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE — Bad Boy Productions LLC View PDF
Jan 2, 2025 31 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE — CE OPCO, LLC d/b/a COMBS GLOBAL f/k/a COMBS ENTERPRISES LLC View PDF
Jan 2, 2025 32 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE — BAD BOY RECORDS LLC View PDF
Jan 9, 2025 33 CONSENT TO CHANGE ATTORNEY (POST RJI) View PDF
Jan 9, 2025 34 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) View PDF
Jan 9, 2025 35 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) View PDF
Jan 9, 2025 36 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) View PDF
Jan 10, 2025 37 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 38 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 39 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 40 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 41 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION (Motion #001) View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 42 AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION (Motion #001) — Affirmation of Mark Cuccaro in Opposition to Motion to Proceed Anonymously View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 43 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #001) — Affirmation of Anthony Buzbee filed in Doe. v. Combs, et al., Index No. 159914/2024 View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 44 EXHIBIT(S) - 2 (Motion #001) — Declaration of Anthony Buzbee filed in Doe. v. Combs, et al., Index No. 159914/2024 View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 45 EXHIBIT(S) - 3 (Motion #001) — Affirmation of Anthony Buzbee filed in Doe. v. Combs, et al., Index No. 159915/2024 View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 46 EXHIBIT(S) - 4 (Motion #001) — Declaration of Anthony Buzbee filed in Doe. v. Combs, et al., Index No. 159915/2024 View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 47 EXHIBIT(S) - 5 (Motion #001) — Affirmation of Anthony Buzbee filed in Doe. v. Combs, et al., Index No. 160054/2024 View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 48 EXHIBIT(S) - 6 (Motion #001) — Declaration of Anthony Buzbee filed in Doe. v. Combs, et al., Index No. 160054/2024 View PDF
Jan 20, 2025 49 EXHIBIT(S) - 7 (Motion #001) — Affirmation of Anthony Buzbee filed in Doe. v. Combs, et al., Index No. 160055/2024 View PDF
Jan 22, 2025 50 STIPULATION - TIME TO ANSWER View PDF
Feb 19, 2025 51 STIPULATION - TIME TO ANSWER View PDF
Feb 21, 2025 52 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #005) View PDF
Feb 21, 2025 53 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT (Motion #005) — Memorandum of Law in Support of the Combs Defendants' Motion to Dismiss the Complaint View PDF
Feb 21, 2025 54 LETTER / CORRESPONDENCE TO JUDGE (Motion #001) View PDF
Feb 21, 2025 55 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #001) — Order Denying Motion to Proceed Anonymously (161671/2024) View PDF
Feb 21, 2025 56 EXHIBIT(S) - 2 (Motion #001) — Order Denying Motion to Proceed Anonymously (161674/2024) View PDF
Feb 21, 2025 57 EXHIBIT(S) - 3 (Motion #001) — Order Denying Motion to Proceed Anonymously (161676/2024) View PDF
Feb 24, 2025 58 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (POST RJI) View PDF
Feb 26, 2025 59 STIPULATION - ADJOURNMENT OF MOTION -IN SUBMISSIONS PART -RM 130 (Motion #005) View PDF
Feb 27, 2025 60 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE View PDF
Mar 13, 2025 61 STIPULATION - PARTIAL DISCONTINUANCE (POST RJI) View PDF
Apr 10, 2025 62 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #001) View PDF
Apr 11, 2025 63 NOTICE OF ENTRY (Motion #001) View PDF
Apr 11, 2025 64 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #001) — Decision & Order View PDF
Apr 23, 2025 65 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION (Motion #005) View PDF
May 9, 2025 66 NOTICE OF APPEAL View PDF
May 9, 2025 67 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 — Notice of Entry dated April 11, 2025 View PDF
May 9, 2025 68 PRELIMINARY APPEAL STATEMENT View PDF
May 22, 2025 69 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN REPLY (Motion #005) View PDF
Jul 18, 2025 70 NOTICE OF MOTION (Motion #006) View PDF
Jul 18, 2025 71 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT (Motion #006) — Memorandum of Law in Support of Combs Defendants Motion for Leave to Renew Plaintiff John Does Motio... (truncated) View PDF
Jul 23, 2025 72 AFFIRMATION/AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE (Motion #006) View PDF
Jul 28, 2025 73 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION (Motion #006) View PDF
Aug 1, 2025 74 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN REPLY (Motion #006) View PDF
Aug 14, 2025 75 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #006) View PDF
Aug 19, 2025 76 NOTICE OF ENTRY (Motion #006) View PDF
Aug 19, 2025 77 EXHIBIT(S) - 1 (Motion #006) — Decision and Order (NYSCEF No. 75) View PDF
Sep 15, 2025 78 NOTICE OF DISCONTINUANCE (POST RJI) View PDF
Oct 2, 2025 79 DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION (Motion #005) View PDF
Attorneys
Anthony G. Buzbee
The Buzbee Law Firm
for John Doe
Plaintiff
Christopher J. Leavitt
The Buzbee Law Firm
for John Doe
Plaintiff
Ryan S. Pigg
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
Crystal Del Toro
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 October 20, 2024 Plaintiff
Erica A. Wolff
Sher Tremonte
for Sean Combs
appeared January 20, 2025 Civil Defense
Michael Tremonte
Sher Tremonte
for all defendants on this case
appeared January 20, 2025 Civil Defense
Mark Cuccaro
Sher Tremonte
for all defendants on this case
appeared November 12, 2024 Civil Defense
Raphael Asher Friedman
Sher Tremonte
for all defendants on this case
appeared February 24, 2025 Civil Defense
William Laurence Charron
Pryor Cashman LLP
for Bad Boy Records LLC
appeared January 10, 2025 Civil Defense
Nicholas George Saady
Pryor Cashman LLP
for Bad Boy Records LLC
appeared January 9, 2025 Civil Defense
Donald Steven Zakarin
Pryor Cashman LLP
for Bad Boy Records LLC
appeared January 9, 2025 Civil Defense