Diddy’s former bodyguard Gene Deal was charged in connection with music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’ 1997 party in Detroit embroiled in a legal battle for sexually assaulting a man.
Michigan inmate Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, representing himself, filed a notice in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan requesting that Diehl be called as a material witness.
Cardello-Smith, 51, who is incarcerated at Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility in Michigan, claims Gene Deal bragged Diddy has insider knowledge of his past lifestyle, which he claims played a role in the attack.
The legal battle stemmed from Cardello-Smith’s claims against Diddy, which initially resulted in a default judgment for the plaintiff, which resulted in a staggering $100 million in damages.
However, that decision was later overturned in September 2024 by Judge Anna Marie Anzalone, who ruled that Cardero-Smith failed to properly serve Diddy under Michigan law.
Anzalone also pointed out that based on the statute of limitations, it seems likely that Diddy will prevail. The original lawsuit accused the tycoon of sexually assaulting Cardero-Smith at a party 27 years ago.
When Diddy failed to appear in court to contest the charges, a Michigan court initially ordered him to pay $10 million a month starting in October 2024.
However, his legal representatives successfully argued for the ruling to be set aside on procedural grounds.
Didi has filed a motion to dismiss the case entirely, with his attorneys arguing that federal jurisdiction applies because Cardero-Smith repeatedly failed to comply with legal agreements for proper service.
Cardero-Smith, on the other hand, is pushing for the case to be sent back to state court and trying to reopen his case, with Gene Diehl emerging as a potential key witness.
The former bodyguard has gained attention in recent years for publicly discussing his time working for Diddy, often detailing controversial aspects of the hip-hop icon’s life.
While much of the case remains mired in legal disputes, one thing is clear: Bringing in Gene Deere as a witness could bring new intrigue and complications if he is forced to testify.
Court officials have not yet scheduled any hearings or motions in the federal case overseen by Judge Judith Levy.
