New York — Sean Combs has avoided the majority of a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Sara Rivers, who alleged that the music executive groped her during her time as a contestant on the reality show “Making the Band 2.” Rivers claimed the incident took place over two decades ago at Combs’ recording studio in New York, where she alleged he cornered her and brushed his hand against her breast.
Rivers filed her complaint earlier this year while Combs was under intense legal scrutiny. The lawsuit named multiple parties, including Universal Music Group, Bad Boy Records, and MTV. In her claim, Rivers sought damages amounting to at least $60 million for allegations ranging from assault and battery to sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge dismissed all but one of the 22 claims she raised, primarily focusing on workplace-related accusations. Combs’ defense argued that Rivers delayed her lawsuit beyond the statute of limitations, which spans one to ten years for most of the claims based on the timeline of the alleged misconduct.
“We have maintained that these claims were baseless, time-barred, and legally insufficient,” said Erica Wolff, Combs’ attorney, who noted that the court found no legal grounds to allow most of the allegations to move forward.
The only claim currently remaining against Combs alleges a breach of New York’s gender-motivated violence protection law, which addresses sex crimes and related offenses. A forthcoming decision will clarify whether this claim can proceed after a recent legal amendment was introduced that potentially allows lawsuits to be filed for two years, even if the standard statute of limitations has elapsed.
Rivers is represented by Ariel Mitchell, who is also facing a defamation lawsuit from Combs over comments made regarding his alleged ties to illicit activities involving celebrities and minors. Combs is seeking damages of at least $100 million in that defamation case.
The court is expected to release a detailed opinion regarding the dismissal soon, though Mitchell has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
In a separate legal matter, Combs was acquitted in July of charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy but was convicted on prostitution-related charges under the Mann Act. He is scheduled for sentencing in October.
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