A New York judge has dismissed a civil sexual battery lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs. The verdict hinges on the statute of limitations, not the merits of the alleged claims.
The court determined that the five-year limitations period in effect when the alleged assault occurred had long expired. A new 2019 law extending the window to 20 years does not apply retroactively.
The judge said the claim is “time-barred under New York law.” The ruling “avoids reaching the factual merits of the allegations.”(
Legal Teams React
Diddy’s legal team vigorously denies wrongdoing. They welcomed the dismissal, calling the outcome a “procedural victory.”
The plaintiff’s side has not issued a statement. The court’s decision, however, may reignite debate on limitations laws.
This dismissal highlights persistent challenges for historical sexual misconduct claims. Although New York extended its statute of limitations to 20 years in 2019, the change is not retroactive.
The Adult Survivors Act briefly lifted that barrier, offering a one-year “lookback” window from November 24, 2022, to November 24, 2023. That window enabled many claims to be filed before it closed.
Still, the judge’s ruling underscores how survivors may be denied a forum for their complaints when time limits remain inflexible.
Dismissal on statute grounds does not dismiss the underlying allegations. It leaves public debate over the soundness of limitations periods unresolved. Moreover, broader reforms could gain new attention in light of this outcome.
Diddy remains subject to other legal challenges, including recent federal criminal convictions.