A federal judge has dismissed the civil racketeering and breach of contract claims filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs by his former music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones. Still, much of Jones’ sprawling lawsuit survived the dismissal motion brought by Combs, his company, and his chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, meaning the case will now move ahead in a slimmed-down form.
In a 31-page opinion issued Monday, U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken said Jones fell short of showing a required injury to his “business or property” caused by a violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The judge said Jones’ alleged non-payment for his services on Combs’ Love Album didn’t count because it lacked a “causal connection” with any purported racketeering activity. The judge’s ruling dismissed the racketeering claims against Combs, his company, Combs Global, and Khorram.
“[Combs’] alleged refusal to honor the contract with Jones is not itself a RICO predicate act, even if the contract breach resulted from Jones’s refusal to participate in Combs’s alleged racketeering scheme,” the judge wrote. “In sum, whether or not Jones has adequately alleged the existence of a RICO enterprise, he has not tied the activities of that enterprise to defendants’ breach of contract, or any other ‘business or property’ harm incurred by Jones.”
The judge dismissed Jones’ breach of contract claim because, according to New York law, “any contract that cannot be performed within one year is unenforceable unless it is in writing,” he wrote in his ruling. He likewise dismissed Jones’ three claims of emotional distress as being deficient in terms of the law.
But in his lopsided decision, the judge said the claims of sex trafficking against Combs and Khorram could proceed. He also upheld sexual assault and premises liability claims against Combs. (The trafficking claim was dismissed as to Combs Global.)
Jones’ lawyer, Tyrone Blackburn, declared a victory Monday when reached by Rolling Stone. “A win is a win. The case is still alive. Diddy and [Khorram] better prepare for deposition,” Blackburn said. (Reps for Combs and Khorram did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)
Combs has denied any wrongdoing in statements through his lawyers. “No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex-trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor,” the lawyers recently told Rolling Stone.
In a previous statement sent to Rolling Stone, Khorram issued a blanket denial, writing, “For months, horrific accusations have been made about me in various lawsuits regarding my former boss. These false allegations of my involvement are causing irreparable and incalculable damage to my reputation and the emotional well-being of myself and my family. I have never condoned or aided and abetted the sexual assault of anyone. Nor have I ever drugged anyone.”
In his ruling, Judge Oetken said Jones’ lawsuit met the necessary requirements in terms of claiming violations of state and sex trafficking laws when he described Combs groping his genitals and forcing him to “solicit sex workers and perform sex acts to the pleasure of Mr. Combs.”
“On numerous occasions, Combs allegedly recruited or enticed Jones to solicit and perform sex acts with commercial sex workers, as well as transported Jones across state and international borders in order to do so,” the judge wrote. “Combs allegedly secured Jones’s compliance with his requests both by promising economic benefits that never materialized, and by threatening Jones with physical restraint and harm.”
Combs, 55, is currently charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he faces 15 years to life in prison. His trial is set for May 5.
Combs has been sued by dozens of plaintiffs alleging sexual misconduct. The flood of civil claims started with the bombshell rape and sex-trafficking lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in November 2023. A handful of other accusers, including Jones, filed lawsuits over the next three months. A subsequent criminal investigation led to Combs’ indictment last September.
