New Trouble for Diddy: Lawyers Seek to Withdraw From Case

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers have filed a request in court to withdraw from representing the rapper in the $100 million defamation lawsuit. According to court documents obtained by “Page Six,” attorney Michael Tremonte, a partner at the firm Sher Tremonte, claims Combs has failed to pay a substantial portion of the fees and costs.

Tremonte said the 56-year-old rapper has been in arrears to the firm for more than six months.

In the documents, the lawyer also claims representing Combs has become “extraordinarily difficult” due to a lack of cooperation and communication.

According to him, the rapper has not been available for direct and essential communications about his cases for more than four months.

Tremonte has asked the court to approve the firm’s withdrawal from the case.

Diddy, on the other hand, has given another version. In a statement to “Page Six,” he said the decision to change lawyers was his, as he doesn’t want to pay fees that, according to him, are high and bills for services he hadn’t approved.

“It’s simply a business matter,” Combs said, adding that the claims of unpaid fees relate to the disagreement between him and the lawyers over these payments.

Tremonte dismissed the rapper’s claims, saying the firm is withdrawing because Combs hasn’t paid the overdue bills and has become uncooperative. He also denied that the firm overcharged.

The lawsuit in question was first filed in January 2025, when Combs sought $50 million in damages against music manager Courtney Burgess, attorney Ariel Mitchell and Nexstar Media Inc., the company that operates NewsNation.

The case relates to statements Burgess made in an interview for NewsNation, where he claimed to possess video materials linking Combs to sexual abuse. Combs has denied these claims and in his lawsuit called them untrue.

Later, the rapper amended the lawsuit seeking another $50 million, bringing the total amount sought to $100 million.

Meanwhile, Combs is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence. He was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, but convicted on two counts of transportation for purposes of prostitution.