Erik Mishiyev v. Sean Combs

Erik Mishiyev, a DJ and promoter, alleges that Defendants Sean Combs and Bad Boy Entertainment orchestrated a 20-year campaign (2000-2025) to sabotage his career due to his collaboration with rapper 50 Cent and former Bad Boy artists Chopper and Dawn Richard. The Defendants allegedly blacklisted Mishiyev, defamed him, and engaged in a RICO conspiracy involving commercial bribery, payola, and money laundering to dominate the Tampa Bay market. They instructed influential radio DJs in Florida, including DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Kevin Ratliff (Bootleg Kev), and Orlando Davis of WiLD 94.1FM, to derail Mishiyev’s career by spreading false statements about drug use and unpopularity, preventing him from securing a record deal with Epic Records for his music video 'Whatchu Ridin On?'. This interference extended to blocking his advertising opportunities with major radio companies (iHeartMedia, Beasley Media Group, COX Media Group) and led to the cancellation of his YouTube channels, allegedly due to his support for Donald Trump. Mishiyev claims antisemitic and racist abuse, including a 2024 incident where DJ Khaled’s associate called him a 'f*cking Jew.' Witnesses, including Allison Gordon (Alli That Girl), a former Tampa Bay radio DJ, corroborate a scheme involving pay-to-play practices and antisemitism, costing local artists $40,000 for airplay. The Defendants’ actions allegedly caused Mishiyev financial ruin, two bankruptcies, and the death of his sister, a single mother, due to his inability to support her financially. Key incidents occurred in Tampa, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and other markets, with specific events in 2007/2008, 2017-2024, and January/February 2025.

Plaintiff seeks compensatory damages of $20,000,000, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, lost wages, and any other relief the Court deems just and proper, including injunctive relief to prevent further unfair and deceptive practices by the Defendants.