In a significant legal development, Sean “Diddy” Combs has secured a partial courtroom victory after a New York judge dismissed the bulk of claims by a woman who had accused the music mogul of sexual assault and emotional abuse dating to the 1990s.
Lampros brought suit in 2023, claiming Diddy coerced her into a controlling relationship by promising to mentor her in the music and fashion worlds. Among the most serious claims was an allegation that he and then-girlfriend Kim Porter forced her to ingest ecstasy before allegedly raping her in 1996. Lampros also alleged that a year to the day earlier in 1995, he had raped her in a hotel room.
However, New York Supreme Court Justice Leslie Stroth presiding over the case, threw out all of the charges which involved battery, assault, and emotional distress, even those against Diddy’s record label, Bad Boy Records. The court also accepted no GMVPL claims predating December 19, 2000, under New York’s Adult Survivors Act. Lampros’ motion to amend her complaint and have another chance based on new allegations was also rejected.
That leaves only a single claim standing, and a much thinner slice of the lawsuit remains. The lone remaining alleged offense occurred sometime in late 2000 or early 2001 at Lampros’ apartment. During the encounter, which took place at the up-and-coming destination for the rich and famous, Diddy began making unsolicited sexual advances, including touching her with his hand and gesturing toward his lap, she alleged in her complaint, and ultimately left when the woman asked him to leave. It is emphasized by the court, however, that there are no allegations of rape preserved in the remaining cause of action.
It is essential to note that this was at the pleading stage, meaning the court had not yet heard any evidence or determined the merits of the allegations. No trial date has been scheduled, and the subsequent legal steps remain unclear.
Diddy has yet to formally reply to the remaining charge, as he has been fighting a more high-profile legal battle, a federal RICO case. He also won a victory there recently, dismissing the RICO claims on July 2, 2025. But he is still awaiting sentencing on counts related to transporting men across state lines to engage in prostitution.
Diddy’s lawyers, predictably, opened their mouths and set off a global legal explosion. His lawyer, Erica Wolff, issued a statement accusing Lampros of filing the lawsuits and of representing him in them. “ April Lampros filed this meritless lawsuit more than 20 years after the fact to capitalize on Mr. Comb’s celebrity and wealth in the hopes that the parties will settle,” stating that Lampros’ attorney is using the courts for publicity and to induce settlements.
This legal win may control the battlefield a little to Diddy’s advantage, but it’ll be a long fight. With the life of a single claim and no lack of media attention, the road ahead might still be bumpy. But for now, the music mogul can chalk up this as a partial win on his end in a legal saga that is still in progress.
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