In a surprising twist to an ongoing legal saga, Gene Deal, the former bodyguard of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, has been named as a potential key witness in a lawsuit alleging that Diddy sexually assaulted a man during a party in Detroit back in 1997.
The lawsuit was filed by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, a 51-year-old inmate at Michigan’s Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility, who is representing himself. Cardello-Smith has submitted a notice to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, asserting that Deal possesses crucial insider knowledge regarding Diddy’s lifestyle that could be relevant to the case.
This legal battle traces back to allegations made by Cardello-Smith against Diddy, which previously resulted in a staggering $100 million default judgment awarded to him. However, this judgment was overturned in September 2024 by Judge Anna Marie Anzalone, who cited Cardello-Smith’s failure to properly serve Diddy in line with Michigan law.
Judge Anzalone also indicated that Diddy is likely to prevail in this case, referencing the statute of limitations. The original allegations claim that Diddy sexually assaulted Cardello-Smith at a party nearly three decades ago. Following Diddy’s non-appearance in court, a Michigan state court initially mandated that he pay $10 million per month starting in October 2024. However, Diddy’s legal team successfully challenged this ruling on procedural grounds.
Currently, Diddy has filed motions to dismiss the case entirely, arguing that federal jurisdiction is appropriate due to Cardello-Smith's repeated failures to adhere to proper legal protocols for service. Conversely, Cardello-Smith is advocating for the case to return to state court, with hopes of reviving his claims and spotlighting Gene Deal as a pivotal witness.
Gene Deal has gained attention in recent years for candidly discussing his experiences with Diddy, often revealing controversial elements of the hip-hop icon’s life. Should Deal be compelled to testify, his insights could add significant complexity and intrigue to the ongoing legal proceedings.
As of now, court officials have not scheduled any hearings or motions in the federal case, which is being overseen by Judge Judith Levy. The developments in this case continue to unfold, keeping observers on the edge of their seats.
Comments