| As Sean Combs Is
Sued Over Making the Band with
Trigger Warning Motion to
Dismiss in June
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE,
April 28 – Sara Rivers,
formerly known as Sara Stokes,
sued Sean Combs and 21 others
including his mother, for
abuse she said she suffered
during the production of
Making the Band.
On April
28 a conference was held by
U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York
Judge Jed S. Rakoff. Inner
City Press live tweeted it.
From the thread
Defense lawyer:
We represent Mr. Combs, Bad
Boy Productions, sued
incorrectly, Janice Combs
Publishing, and Sean Jean
Clothing LLC
Voice: There were
nine-
Judge Rakoff:
Hold one, don't speak over
each other!
Defense: They're
right, we rep only
nine
Defense: I don't have
confirmation yet if we are
representing Janice Combs
herself - I hope to have an
answer this week. Judge: This
case is off to a very bad
start. Less than half of the
defendants have been served.
Anyone not served will be
dismissed sua
sponte
Combs'
lawyer: We intend to move to
dismiss by June 23
Judge:
Tell me the basis of the RICO
enterprise cause of action
Plaintiff's lawyer: There was
a TV
show
Judge
Rakoff: What were the
predicate acts?
Plaintiff's lawyer: We have
wire fraud, mail
fraud...
Judge Rakoff:
What was the role of Universal
Music & Video
Distribution? Plaintiff's
lawyer: They were the vehicle
through which the scheme was
profitable Judge: They might
be economically liable - but
how are they RICO liable?
Plaintiff's lawyer: Making the
Band
Judge Rakoff: I
feel I can rule on the June 23
motion by the end of August.
What about staying discovery?
Plaintiff's lawyer: I saw in
the news that Mr. Combs is
staying discovery in other
civil
cases
Plaintiff's
lawyer: My concern is that
they were going to seek to
stay the proceedings in light
of the criminal trial starting
next week [Well, jury
selection starting May 5]
Judge Rakoff: I
stay all discovery until the
end of August. So no plan
needed
today
Judge Rakoff: But let me put
the defense on notice - unless
I dismiss all claims, which
seems unlikely but you never
know, discovery will have to
be done by December, summary
judgment decision by the end
of January [2026] - and I'd
try it late Feb or early
March
Judge:
Adjourned
More on X for
Subscribers here
and Substack here
The case is
Rivers v. Combs, et al.,
1:25-cv-1726 (Rakoff)
***
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