Judge rules Sean “Diddy” Combs accuser can’t sue anonymously | How could this affect other cases against music mogel

NEW YORK — A Tennessee woman who claims in a civil lawsuit that Sean “Diddy” Combs sexually assaulted her when she was a 19-year-old student in Brooklyn can’t proceed with her case anonymously, a federal judge ruled Wednesday, finding that the arguments women are “whole”. without merit”.

“Simply put, allegations of sexual assault, by themselves, are not sufficient to entitle a plaintiff to act under a pseudonym,” Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil wrote in the ruling.

The woman alleged that a security guard took her to a private room at a party hosted by Combs and that the guard told her, “You know what you’re here for.”

Asking to remain anonymous, the woman argued she could be harmed if her name were published, but the judge was ultimately unconvinced.

“Combs has had no contact with the complainant for approximately 20 years since the alleged rape, and Combs is currently being held pending trial. As such, counsel has identified no present threat of physical harm to the plaintiff,” the decision states.

The judge also said Combs has the right to investigate her accuser and her credibility.

“The court appreciates that Combs is a public figure and therefore the plaintiff is likely to face public scrutiny if he proceeds on his own behalf. avoiding public scrutiny, or even embarrassment, does not outweigh the interests of both Combs and the public within the ordinary and constitutionally embedded presumption. of opening in judicial proceedings”, said the judge.

This ruling could affect a number of other cases brought by prosecutors who have sued Combs under a pseudonym.

The judge noted that other plaintiffs have chosen to use their names in their lawsuits, including Casandra Ventura.

Combs has denied the allegations against him. In a statement Monday, his lawyers responded to the new allegations against him — including one involving the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old boy — by accusing the plaintiff’s lawyer of a lack of credibility.

“The attorney behind this lawsuit is more interested in media attention than the truth, as evidenced by his constant media appearances and 1-800 number,” the statement said. “As I’ve said before, Mr. Combs cannot respond to every new publicity stunt, even in response to claims that are ridiculous on their face or demonstrably false.”

Defense attorneys said they and Combs “have full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process.”

“In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone — male or female, adult or minor,” defense attorneys said.

Combs, who was arrested last month on sex trafficking charges, has pleaded not guilty in the case. As part of his defense, Combs’ lawyers asked the judge to order federal prosecutors to reveal the identities of his accusers.