A prominent personal injury lawyer, who recently filed multiple civil lawsuits against Sean Diddy Combs, now faces legal action himself over alleged extortion attempts.
The Buzbee Law Firm and its principal, Tony Buzbee, are being sued by an anonymous plaintiff for allegedly attempting to extract substantial payments through threats of filing false allegations.
Filed in Los Angeles on Monday, the legal action comes from a John Doe with connections to Combs. The suit claims that Buzbee and his firm threatened to publicise fabricated sexual assault accusations, including allegations of minor rape, unless financial demands were met.
The lawsuit states that these unfounded accusations serve as tools in a calculated strategy to damage the plaintiff’s reputation for financial gain, despite lacking factual basis.
According to the filing by attorneys Michael Lifrak and Mari Henderson of Quinn Emanuel, Buzbee sent multiple written demands to Doe, falsely alleging serious sexual misconduct, including accusations of drugging and raping minors at Combs-hosted events.
The suit claims Buzbee threatened immediate public legal action unless the plaintiff agreed to monetary settlement through mediation.
The plaintiff describes facing an ultimatum: either make substantial payments to prevent the publication of false sexual assault allegations that would devastate their reputation and livelihood, or risk multiple civil suits leading to personal and financial destruction.
The legal action seeks compensation for extortion and emotional distress, with the plaintiff’s lawyers requesting information about Buzbee from potential sources.
In response to ABC News, Buzbee dismissed the lawsuit as meritless and “laughable,” denying any monetary demands or threats. He characterised his correspondence as standard legal practice.
Recent court documents reveal prosecutors’ allegations that Combs attempted to interfere with his case whilst in custody, including orchestrating social media campaigns and contacting witnesses through intermediaries.
Prosecutors cited discovered jail cell notes, with redacted contents suggesting Combs compensated an unnamed witness who posted on Instagram.
The government also alleges Combs used other inmates’ telephone accounts at MDC-Brooklyn to evade monitoring and contact unauthorised individuals.