Diddy sues NBC TV over false documentary

Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs has filed a $100 million (£80.5 million) lawsuit against NBC, its streaming service Peacock, and production company Ample, alleging that their documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy contains false and defamatory claims about him.

Diddy, who is currently in a New York jail awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges—which he denies—argues that the documentary assumes he has committed serious crimes, including serial murder, rape of minors, and sex trafficking. His legal team announced the lawsuit on February 12, stating that the program “maliciously and baselessly jumps to the conclusion that Mr. Combs is a ‘monster’” and includes statements the filmmakers “knew were false or published with reckless disregard as to whether they were false or not.”

The lawsuit claims the documentary falsely accuses Combs of murdering individuals close to him, including his former partner Kim Porter and rapper Christopher Wallace, known as Biggie Smalls or The Notorious B.I.G. Combs is seeking $100 million in damages for the reputational and economic harm caused by the documentary.

His attorney, Erica Wolff, condemned NBC, Peacock, and Ample, stating that they “made a conscious decision to line their own pockets at the expense of truth, decency, and basic standards of professional journalism.” She further accused them of “maliciously and recklessly broadcasting outrageous lies.” BBC News has reached out to NBC and Ample for comment, but neither has responded.

This lawsuit comes amid a wave of legal challenges against the rap mogul. Over the past 16 months, more than 30 civil lawsuits have been filed against him, with accusations ranging from kidnapping and drugging to coercion and sexual assault. Some allegations include the use of firearms and threats of violence.

Earlier this month, a lawyer representing multiple accusers suggested that Diddy could face at least 10 additional civil lawsuits on top of the ones already filed. Meanwhile, a recent BBC investigation spoke with over 20 former Bad Boy Records employees who described disturbing incidents they claim to have witnessed during the label’s rise in the 1990s.

Despite the mounting legal battles, Diddy has consistently denied all allegations. He previously called the claims “sickening” and has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against him.

His lawyer reaffirmed his stance in a statement to the BBC, stating, “In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone, man or woman, adult or minor.”