Cardello-Smith, a convicted felon currently serving a prison sentence, has a history of filing civil lawsuits. Combs’ legal team argued that Cardello-Smith was committing “fraud on the court” and claimed they were unaware of the lawsuit because Combs had not been properly served notice. Combs’ lawyers told the BBC they intend to fight the ruling and seek to vacate the judgment.
Cardello-Smith claimed that Combs recently offered him $2.3 million to drop the lawsuit, which he declined. He also alleged he had evidence of knowing Combs, presenting prison visitation logs with Combs’ name, a claim the rapper’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, denied.
This case is among several sexual assault allegations against Combs, who has faced other lawsuits, including one from his former partner, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. Combs settled the case with Ventura for an undisclosed amount. Despite denying the allegations, he apologised after CCTV footage from 2016 surfaced, showing him physically assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway.
