Case #2:25-cv-06750 · United States District Court, Central District of California
Michael Ejiawoko v. Sean Combs et al
Closed
Sean Combs
Vici Properties, Inc.
Wynn Resorts, Ltd.
Northwood Investors LLC
John Doe Associates 1-10
Roe Entities 1-10
Parties
Michael Ejiawoko Plaintiff
Sean Combs Individual residing in the State of New York, believed to have orchestrated a scheme of coercive sexual exploitation involving Plaintiff.
Vici Properties, Inc. New York corporation that operates The Palazzo, a luxury hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Wynn Resorts, Ltd. Nevada corporation that operates the Wynn, a luxury hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Northwood Investors LLC Colorado limited liability company that operates the London Hotel, a luxury hotel in Los Angeles, California.
John Doe Associates 1-10 Individuals whose identities are presently unknown, who assisted or conspired with Combs and/or participated in or enabled the wrongful acts alleged.
Roe Entities 1-10 Entities whose identities are presently unknown, who assisted or conspired with Combs.
Dismissed defendants: VICI PROPERTIES, INC.; WYNN RESORTS, LTD.
Factual Allegations
Disclaimer: allegations as pled by the plaintiff, summarized by Grok.
In or around 2018, Plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko, a commercial sex worker, met Defendant Sean Combs, who hired him for sexual services in California (twice) and Nevada (three times) at hotels operated by Defendants Vici Properties, Inc. (The Palazzo), Wynn Resorts, Ltd. (Wynn), and Northwood Investors LLC (London Hotel). Plaintiff was led to believe he was engaging in consensual sex work with adult women, including Casandra Ventura and Jane Doe, unaware they were coerced or trafficked by Combs. Combs orchestrated and observed these encounters, directing the acts without participating, using body oil allegedly laced with GHB or similar drugs to incapacitate Plaintiff and others without their consent. Hotel staff facilitated these acts by reserving rooms under aliases (e.g., 'Mr. Star'), granting access to private areas, escorting participants, cleaning up evidence, and failing to report illegal activities. Encounters were filmed without Plaintiff's consent. Plaintiff learned of the coercive nature of the scheme after testimony in Combs' federal criminal trial in May and June 2025, suffering profound humiliation, emotional trauma, and psychological distress. Combs allegedly paid $100,000 to suppress surveillance footage at another hotel, indicating a pattern of concealment.
Prayer for Relief
General and special damages to be proven at trial; punitive and exemplary damages; statutory damages under 18 U.S.C. § 1595; attorneys' fees and costs; pre- and post-judgment interest; and other relief deemed just and proper by the court.
Causes of Action
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION Sexual Battery
Cal. Civ. Code § 1708.5 (Against All Defendants)
SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION Civil Conspiracy
California Common Law (Against All Defendants)
THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION Violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
18 U.S.C. § 1595 (Against All Defendants)
Disposition
Voluntary discontinuance — April 10, 2026
Voluntarily dismissed in its entirety without prejudice
Court Dates
| Date | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 6, 2026 | Filing Deadline | Defendant Northwood Investors LLC answer to complaint extended due date |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Other | Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the complaint without prejudice |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Filing Deadline | Defendant Northwood Investors LLC answer to complaint extended due date |
Docket
| Date | No. | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2025 | 1 | [STRICKEN BY ORDER OF THE COURT SEE DKT. 6 ] COMPLAINT Receipt No: ACACDC-40162231 - Fee: $405, filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. (Attorney Jonathan D. Evans added to party Michael Ejiawoko(pty:bkmov))(Evans, Jonathan) Modified on 8/4/2025 (es). (Entered: 07/24/2025) | View PDF |
| Jul 29, 2025 | 2 | NOTICE OF DEFICIENCIES in Attorney Case Opening RE: Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 . The following error(s) was found: The Civil Cover Sheet (CV-71)is missing or incomplete. All civil actions presented for filing must be accompanied by a completed Civil Cover Sheet. See Local Rule 3-1. Counsel must file a completed Civil Cover Sheet immediately. Failure to do so may be addressed by judicial action, including sanctions. See Local Rule 83-7. No Notice of Interested Parties has been filed. A Notice of Interested Parties must be filed with every partys first appearance. See Local Rule 7.1-1. Counsel must file a Notice of Interested Parties immediately. Failure to do so may be addressed by judicial action, including sanctions. See Local Rule 83-7. (mza) (Entered: 07/29/2025) | No document |
| Jul 29, 2025 | 3 | NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT to District Judge Percy Anderson and Magistrate Judge Michael B. Kaufman. (mza) (Entered: 07/29/2025) | No document |
| Jul 29, 2025 | 4 | NOTICE TO PARTIES OF COURT-DIRECTED ADR PROGRAM filed. (mza) (Entered: 07/29/2025) | View PDF |
| Jul 29, 2025 | 5 | Notice to Counsel Re Consent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate Judge. (mza) (Entered: 07/29/2025) | No document |
| Jul 31, 2025 | 6 | RESPONSE BY THE COURT TO NOTICE TO FILER OF DEFICIENCIES IN FILED DOCUMENT RE: Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 by Judge Percy Anderson. The document is STRICKEN. (es) (Entered: 08/04/2025) | No document |
| Aug 4, 2025 | 7 | STANDING ORDER by Judge Percy Anderson. READ THIS ORDER CAREFULLY. IT CONTROLS THE CASE AND DIFFERS IN SOME RESPECTS FROM THE LOCAL RULES. See Order for details. (es) (Entered: 08/05/2025) | No document |
| Aug 28, 2025 | 8 | COMPLAINT with filing fee previously paid ($405 paid on 07/24/2025, receipt number ACACDC-40162231), filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko.(Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 08/28/2025) | View PDF |
| Aug 28, 2025 | 9 | NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko, (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 08/28/2025) | View PDF |
| Aug 28, 2025 | 10 | CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 08/28/2025) | View PDF |
| Nov 4, 2025 | 11 | Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 11/04/2025) | No document |
| Nov 4, 2025 | 12 | NOTICE OF DEFICIENCIES in Request to Issue Summons RE: Summons Request 11 . The following error(s) was found: The caption of the summons must match the caption of the complaint verbatim. If the caption is too large to fit in the space provided, enter the name of the first party and then write "see attached." Next, attach a face page of the complaint or a second page addendum to the Summons. The term "et al." cannot be used in a summons caption. The summons cannot be issued until this defect has been corrected. Please correct the defect and re-file your request. (aco) (Entered: 11/04/2025) | No document |
| Nov 4, 2025 | 13 | MINUTES OF ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE: DISMISSAL FOR LACK OF PROSECUTION by Judge Percy Anderson. Absent a showing of good cause, an action must be dismissed without prejudice if the summons and complaint are not served on a defendant within 90 days after the complaint is filed. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m). In the present case, it appears that this time period has not been met. Accordingly, the court, on its own motion, orders plaintiff to show cause in writing on or before November 12, 2025, why this action should not be dismissed for lack of prosecution. (See document for further details). (aco) (Entered: 11/05/2025) | View PDF |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 14 | [VACATED, SEE DOC 20] MINUTES IN CHAMBERS-COURT ORDER by Judge Percy Anderson. To date, however, Plaintiff has not responded to the Court's Order to Show Cause, nor has he filed a proof of service as to any defendant or sought additional time to do so. Accordingly, as a result of Plaintiff's failure to comply with the Court's orders and to diligently prosecute this case, this action is dismissed without prejudice. The Court will enter a Judgment consistent with this Order. (See document for further details). (aco) Modified on 12/11/2025 (aco). (Entered: 11/24/2025) | View PDF |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 15 | [VACATED, SEE DOC 20] JUDGMENT by Judge Percy Anderson. In accordance with the Court's November 21, 2025 Minute Order dismissing this action for failure to prosecute and failure to comply with the Court's Orders, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the action is dismissed without prejudice. (MD JS-6, Case Terminated). (aco) Modified on 12/11/2025 (aco). (Entered: 11/24/2025) | View PDF |
| Nov 26, 2025 | 16 | [DOCUMENT STRICKEN PER ORDER ON 12/02/2025, SEE DOC NO. 18] NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Relief from Judgment re Judgment, 15 filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration in Support of Plaintiff's Rule 60(b) Motion) (Evans, Jonathan) Modified on 12/3/2025 (aco). (Entered: 11/26/2025) | View PDF Declaration in Support of Plaintiff's Rule 60(b) Motion |
| Dec 2, 2025 | 17 | NOTICE TO FILER OF DEFICIENCIES in Electronic Filed Document RE: NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Relief from Judgment re Judgment, 15 16 . The following error(s) was/were found: Proposed document was not submitted or was not submitted as a separate attachment. Hearing information is missing, incorrect, or untimely. In response to this notice, the Court may: (1) order an amended or correct document to be filed; (2) order the document stricken; or (3) take other action as the Court deems appropriate. You need not take any action in response to this notice unless and until the Court directs you to do so. (chk) (Entered: 12/02/2025) | View PDF |
| Dec 2, 2025 | 18 | RESPONSE BY THE COURT TO NOTICE TO FILER OF DEFICIENCIES IN FILED DOCUMENT RE: NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Relief from Judgment re Judgment, 15 16 by Judge Percy Anderson. The document is stricken. (aco) (Entered: 12/03/2025) | View PDF |
| Dec 6, 2025 | 19 | NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Relief from Judgment re Judgment, 15 filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. Motion set for hearing on 1/12/2026 at 01:30 PM before Judge Percy Anderson. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Supporting Declaration, # 2 Proposed Order Proposed Order) (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 12/06/2025) | No document Supplement Supporting Declaration Proposed Order Proposed Order |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 20 | MINUTES IN CHAMBERS - COURT ORDER by Judge Percy Anderson. For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff's Motion for Relief for Judgment is granted. The Court hereby vacates its November 21, 2025 Order and Judgment dismissing this action (Docket Nos. 14, 15) and reopens this action. Plaintiff shall file a corrected Request to Issue Summons by no later than December 16, 2025. Plaintiff shall file Proofs of Service as to each defendant by February 16, 2026. Plaintiff is warned that failure to comply with these deadlines may result in the imposition of sanctions, including but not limited to dismissal of this action without prejudice. (See document for further details).; granting 19 MOTION for Relief from Judgment re Judgment, 15 . (aco) (Entered: 12/11/2025) | View PDF |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 21 | Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 12/11/2025) | No document |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 22 | Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 12/11/2025) | No document |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 23 | Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 12/11/2025) | No document |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 24 | 21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 as to Defendant Northwood Investors, LLC. (aco) (Entered: 12/11/2025) | View PDF |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 25 | 21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 as to Defendant Vici Properties, Inc. (aco) (Entered: 12/11/2025) | View PDF |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 26 | 21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 as to Defendant Wynn Resorts, Limited. (aco) (Entered: 12/11/2025) | View PDF |
| Jan 6, 2026 | 27 | WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. upon Wynn Resorts, Limited waiver sent by Plaintiff on 12/23/2025, answer due 2/23/2026. Waiver of Service signed by Nicole M. Perry. (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 01/06/2026) | View PDF |
| Jan 23, 2026 | 28 | PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko, upon Defendant Vici Properties, Inc. served on 1/12/2026, answer due 2/2/2026. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Jane Doe, intake specialist in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by service on a domestic corporation, unincorporated association, or public entity (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 01/23/2026) | View PDF |
| Jan 23, 2026 | 29 | PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko, upon Defendant Northwood Investors, LLC served on 1/16/2026, answer due 2/6/2026. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Shannon White, CSC authorized agent in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by personal service (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 01/23/2026) | View PDF |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 30 | STIPULATION Extending Time to Answer the complaint as to Northwood Investors, LLC answer now due 3/6/2026, re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 filed by Defendant Northwood Investors, LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Attorney Dominique M. Caamano added to party Northwood Investors, LLC(pty:dft))(Caamano, Dominique) (Entered: 01/27/2026) | No document |
| Jan 28, 2026 | 31 | ORDER GRANTING JOINT STIPULATION TO EXTEND TIME TO RESPOND TO INITIAL COMPLAINT BY NOT MORE THAN 30 DAYS by Judge Percy Anderson. Based on the foregoing Joint Stipulation to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint brought pursuant to Local Rule 8-3, and for good cause shown, this Court finds as follows: The deadline for Defendant Northwood Investors LLC to answer, move, or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint shall be extended by twenty-eight days up to and including March 6, 2026. RE: STIPULATION Extending Time to Answer the complaint, 30 . (aco) (Entered: 01/29/2026) | No document |
| Feb 3, 2026 | 32 | MINUTES OF ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE: DISMISSAL FOR LACK OF PROSECUTION by Judge Percy Anderson. Generally, defendants must answer the complaint within 21 days after service (60 days if the defendant is the United States). Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1). In t he present case, it appears that this time period has not been met. Accordingly, the court, on its own motion, orders plaintiff to show cause in writing on or before February 10, 2026, why Vici Properties, Inc., should not be dismissed for lack of prosecution. (See document for further details). (aco) | View PDF |
| Feb 5, 2026 | 33 | Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 02/05/2026) | No document |
| Feb 5, 2026 | 34 | 21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 as to Defendant Sean Combs. (aco) (Entered: 02/05/2026) | No document |
| Feb 12, 2026 | 35 | Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Michael D Kibler counsel for Defendant Northwood Investors, LLC. Adding Michael D. Kibler as counsel of record for Northwood Investors, LLC for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Defendant Northwood Investors, LLC. (Attorney Michael D Kibler added to party Northwood Investors, LLC(pty:dft))(Kibler, Michael) (Entered: 02/12/2026) | View PDF |
| Feb 15, 2026 | 36 | NOTICE OF DISMISSAL filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko pursuant to FRCP 41a(1) as to Vici Properties, Inc., Wynn Resorts, Limited. (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 02/15/2026) | View PDF |
| Feb 27, 2026 | 37 | Joint STIPULATION for Extension of Time to File Answer to April 6, 2026 re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 filed by Defendant Northwood Investors, LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Caamano, Dominique) (Entered: 02/27/2026) | No document |
| Mar 2, 2026 | 38 | ORDER GRANTING JOINT STIPULATION TO CONTINUE NORTHWOOD INVESTORS, LLC'S RESPONSIVE PLEADING DEADLINE by Judge Percy Anderson. Based on the foregoing Joint Stipulation to Continue Northwood Investors LLC's Responsive Pleading Deadline, and for good cause shown, this Court finds as follows: The deadline for Defendant Northwood Investors LLC to answer, move, or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint shall be extended by thirty (30) days up to and including April 6, 2026. RE: Joint STIPULATION for Extension of Time to File Answer 37 . (aco) (Entered: 03/03/2026) | No document |
| Mar 30, 2026 | 39 | Joint STIPULATION for Extension of Time to File Answer to April 27, 2026 re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 8 Northwood Investors, LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Caamano, Dominique) (Entered: 03/30/2026) | No document |
| Mar 31, 2026 | 40 | ORDER GRANTING JOINT STIPULATION TO CONTINUE NORTHWOOD INVESTORS,LLC'S RESPONSIVE PLEADING DEADLINE TO APRIL 13, 2026 39 by Judge Percy Anderson. (lc) (Entered: 04/01/2026) | No document |
| Apr 10, 2026 | 41 | NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal filed by plaintiff Michael Ejiawoko. Dismissal is without prejudice. (Evans, Jonathan) (Entered: 04/10/2026) | View PDF |
Attorneys
Jonathan D. Evans
Salazar Evans LLP
Plaintiff
Theida Salazar
Salazar Evans LLP
Plaintiff
Michael Schonbuch
Schonbuch Hallissy LLP
Civil Defense