Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673.
(NewsNation) — Sean “Diddy” Combs had a legal victory in civil court after his accuser would not reveal her identity.
The judge dismissed the case, which was filed in October 2024, against the scandal-plagued rapper, according to federal court documents. The accuser, listed as “Jane Doe,” originally alleged Combs attempted to sexually assault her in 1995 in New York City at a party after she thwarted his unwanted advances.
Jane Doe’s attorney filed for her to stay anonymous in January. The rap mogul denied the claims.
Jane Doe decided not to deal with ‘media circus’ in Diddy lawsuit: Attorney
Jane Doe’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, gave a written statement to NewsNation on Wednesday. It said:
“This was expected. In this particular case, Jane Doe opted not to proceed. There is a lot of fear amongst these plaintiffs. I thus can’t blame her. There are tough cases, and they are many times re-traumatizing for those who pursue them. Each case stands on its own merit. This woman chose not to proceed and subject herself to the media circus and the perceived danger she felt. We have to respect that.”
Jane Doe was asked by the judge to refile the complaint with her legal name by March 20. However, the alleged victim was unwilling to do so. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman threw out the case on March 31 after the deadline was missed.
The judge wrote in his dismissal order:
“On March 6, 2025, the Court denied Plaintiff’s motion to proceed anonymously and ordered her to file a complaint in her own name by March 20, 2025, or the case would be dismissed. As of today, March 31, 2025, Plaintiff has not filed a complaint in her own name, nor has she sought an extension of time to do so. Accordingly, the case is dismissed. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to terminate all pending motions and deadlines and close the case.”
NewsNation reached out to Combs’ attorneys but did not receive a response at the time of this article’s publication.
Diddy facing federal sex trafficking charges
The artist is currently embroiled in several lawsuits with allegations of sexual abuse and assault with multiple plaintiffs that span over 30 years. Combs also faces federal racketeering and sex trafficking criminal charges.
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FILE – Sean Combs arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 25: View of law enforcement agents and vehicles outside Diddy’s Beverly Hills estate are seen on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by HIGHFIVE/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 25: In an aerial view, the home of Sean “Diddy” Combs is seen during a raid by federal law enforcement agents on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 25: In an aerial view, the home of Sean “Diddy” Combs is seen during a raid by federal law enforcement agents on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 25: In an aerial view, the home of Sean “Diddy” Combs is seen during a raid by federal law enforcement agents on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 25: In an aerial view, the home of Sean “Diddy” Combs is seen during a raid by federal law enforcement agents on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images) -
FILE – Sean “Diddy” Combs arrives at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, on June 26, 2022. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP File) -
FILE – Sean “Diddy” Combs arrives at the LA Premiere of “The Four: Battle For Stardom” at the CBS Radford Studio Center on May 30, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File) -
FILE – Rap moguls Sean “Diddy” Combs, left, and Jay-Z attend the NBA All-Star basketball game, Feb. 15, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File) -
MIAMI – FEBRUARY 05: Sean “P Diddy” Combs, Justin Bieber and Sean Kingston perform at the BET SOS Saving Ourselves � Help for Haiti,� benefit concert and telethon at AmericanAirlines Arena on February 5, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) -
Singer and model Cassie Ventura (L) and Rap mogul P Diddy (aka Sean Combs) arrive for the traditionnal Clive Davis party on the eve of the 60th Annual Grammy Awards on January 28, 2018, in New York. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
Last year, federal agents raided Combs’ residences in Los Angeles and Miami as part of an investigation into sex trafficking claims. The trial is scheduled for May 5.
Hard to reveal name with stigma of being sexual assault victim: Attorney
Arick Fudali is an attorney who represents two of Combs’ accusers — former Danity Kane member Dawn Richards and another client referred to as “John Doe.” He told NewsNation on Tuesday:
“While I can’t comment on any specific ruling from the court, I can say that, representing victims of sexual abuse against high-profile individuals, I have seen first-hand the detriment a victim faces when they are forced to reveal their identities publicly.”
He also said, “From the stigma that comes with being a victim of sexual abuse, to online backlash, questioning of motives and even threats, having to reveal one’s name can often be too much of a deterrent for some victims, causing them to continue to suffer in silence and allowing their abusers to go without being held accountable.”
