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Sean "Diddy" Combs has been tackling a slew of civil lawsuits since his criminal case unfolded last year, but he just scored a victory in one of them.
According to a report TMZ published on Thursday, August 14, a judge has dismissed several claims that Sara Rivers of Da Band made in her legal complaint against Combs and other defendants. In a lawsuit she filed in February, Rivers claimed she was sexually harassed and mistreated by Combs during her time on "Making The Band 2." After reviewing the allegations, a judge decided to toss out a majority of them except for one.
The judge dismissed Rivers' claims of racketeering, assault and battery, forced labor, sexual harassment, and false imprisonment. Rivers previously alleged she experienced "inhumane" treatment while filming the reality show. She claimed she lost control of her eating/sleeping schedule, was mocked for her appearance, and claimed she was forced to do manual labor without compensation. She even cited the infamous scene when Combs instructed Rivers and her bandmates to walk numerous blocks to get him cheesecake. Rivers also alleged Combs interfered with her music career after the show by sabotaging various record deals.
In total, 21 claims were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they can't be filed again. The only complaint left is her allegation that falls under the Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act. Rivers claimed was subjected to sexual harassment and assault. She claimed Combs allegedly cornered her and blocked her from moving. In that moment, she claimed he "used his left hand to adjust collar of her jacket and then ran his left hand across her breasts, while repeating the phrase if she needs anything to let him know.”
The judge wrote that the "determination of whether to dismiss, with or without prejudice" has been stayed pending a decision from the appellate court. Combs' legal team previously denied the "meritless claims," but Rivers' attorney, Ariel Mitchell, is prepared to appeal the decision.