Diddy Ordered To Pay $100M To Inmate Who Alleges He Drugged, Sexually Assaulted Him

A Michigan inmate known for his long history of challenging the judicial system with civil lawsuits has been awarded a $100 million default judgment against embattled entertainment mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Combs has been ordered to pay $100 million to Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, who accused the hip-hop mogul of drugging and sexually assaulting him in the ’90s. Beginning Oct. 1, 2024, Combs must make monthly payments of $10 million to inmate Cardello-Smith, the Metro Times reported on Sept. 9.

The decision comes after Lenawee County Circuit Court Judge Anna Marie granted Cardello-Smith a temporary restraining order against Combs in August.

Cardello-Smith allegedly met Combs when he worked at a restaurant near Detroit. Cardello-Smith claims he was performing oral sex on a woman at a party. Then, he alleges that Combs offered him a drink and then touched his left buttock. Cardello-Smith consumed the “spiked” drink Combs allegedly gave him, which he says made him pass out.

Cardello-Smith said he woke up hours later to find Combs having sex with a woman. Combs allegedly told him, “I did this to you too.”

Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, denies Cardello-Smith’s allegations in a statement provided to the Metro Times: “This man is a convicted felon and sexual predator who has been sentenced on 14 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping over the last 26 years. His resume now includes committing fraud in the court from prison, as Mr. Combs has never heard of him, let alone been served with any lawsuit. Mr. Combs looks forward to having this judgment swiftly dismissed.”

Right now, Cardello-Smith, an inmate at the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility is serving an unrelated sentence. He showed the court proof that Combs visited him at the Muskegon Heights facility. He also says Combs offered him $2.3 million to keep quiet about the incident. Cardello-Smith turned down the hush money.

“You know how we get down” was Combs’s alleged response to Cardello-Smith’s threat to proceed with the action instead of accepting an out-of-court settlement, Cardello-Smith told Anzalone.

Cardello-Smith told the judge he said, “I disagree with how you get down.”

A virtual hearing was held on Sept. 9, but Combs was a no-show. Therefore, Cardello-Smith received the $100 million judgment by default.

The judgment comes nearly a year after ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura was awarded $30 million following filing a lawsuit against Combs. She alleged sexual assault and physical abuse throughout their 11-year relationship.

This article first appeared in the Detroit Metro Times.

Photos: Michigan Department of Corrections, Shutterstock