Universal Music Group (UMG) has escalated its legal conflict with Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones’ attorney Tyrone Blackburn, asking for sanctions that would significantly alter the ongoing case involving hip-hop icon Sean “Diddy” Combs process.
UMG has teamed up with Motown Records and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge to seek judicial sanctions over a series of complaints and motions launched by Blackburn on behalf of Lil Rod, alleging serious criminal conduct by the music giant and its partners.
In Lil Rod’s shocking lawsuit against Diddy, Blackburn claimed Grainge was complicit in Diddy’s alleged sexual misconduct.
The lawsuit alleges that Grainge frequented Diddy’s home, attended questionable parties and provided financial support for activities related to sex trafficking, allegations that Grainge and UMG strongly deny.
Grange’s lawyers called the allegations “blatantly false” and “unsupported by the facts” and moved to dismiss on the grounds that there was no legal basis to hold them responsible for Dee Dee’s actions.
Tyrone Blackburn caved in earlier this week, asking a judge to dismiss Universal Music Group and Lucian Grainge’s lawsuit entirely, but the move could cost the lawyer if the judge sides with the music industry boss Hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The company claims Blackburn’s ongoing legal action has caused significant financial pressure.
Pryor Cashman, LLP, representing UMG’s Donald S. Zakarin, asserted that Lil Rod and Blackburn’s allegations were demonstrably false from the beginning.
UMG believes Blackburn’s actions wasted significant time and resources and caused significant reputational damage to Grainge.
Zakarin claimed the false accusations caused personal and professional harm, necessitating increased security for Grange and his family.
UMG is seeking sanctions against Blackburn and more than $450,000 in legal fees and related costs.
Zakarin said those costs could have been avoided if Blackburn had withdrawn its claim.
“Mr. Blackburn not only unreasonably increased litigation in this matter, contrary to his protests, he also aggressively self-promoted on social media,” Zakarin said. “Through three baseless, unlawful and unsubstantiated complaints, our clients, particularly Sir Lucian Grange, have had their names and reputations dragged through the mud.”
UMG maintains that Blackburn’s conduct warranted sanctions to deter future abuse of federal courts.
