According to Billboard, attorneys for Universal Music Group (UMG) CEO Lucian Grainge have strongly contested a lawsuit alleging Grainge and the label supported Sean “Diddy” Combs in purported sexual abuse. They described the accusations as “offensively false” and announced intentions to seek penalties against the lawyer responsible for these claims, Tyrone Blackburn, who represents Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones.
In efforts to dismiss the lawsuit against UMG and Grainge, the label’s legal team criticized Blackburn for filing “knowingly false allegations” of criminal conduct without any substantial basis. They plan to file for sanctions against Blackburn, responding to accusations made by Lil Rod, who alleges that Combs sexually assaulted and harassed him. This lawsuit is among several filed against Combs, who also faces a federal criminal investigation.
Jones’ lawsuit claims that Diddy, Grainge, and others violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and federal sex trafficking laws, accusations that UMG’s lawyers have dismissed as completely unfounded. “These accusations are recklessly false,” said Donald Zakarin, a representative for UMG and Grainge, noting that such claims would be considered libelous outside of a legal complaint.
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