Sean "Diddy" Combs has issued a cease-and-desist letter to his former protégé, Shyne, over claims made in a new Hulu documentary. The letter disputes allegations in The Honorable Shyne that Shyne was forced to take the fall for Diddy in the 1999 Club New York shooting, an incident that resulted in Shyne's 10-year prison sentence while Diddy was acquitted.
According to Page Six, Diddy's letter is not an attempt to block the release of the documentary but to ensure its accuracy. Shyne, born Moses Michael Levi Barrow, alleges in the film that Diddy left him to "rot in prison" while enjoying a lavish lifestyle. "Because when I said it [at the time], everyone was partying and having a great time with Diddy while I was left to rot in prison," Shyne says in the documentary.
The film also explores Shyne's transformation from a Bad Boy Entertainment artist to a respected politician in Belize. Despite his claims of betrayal, Shyne has publicly stated that he forgives Diddy. "He pretty much sent me to prison," Shyne told Channel 5 Belize in September 2024, but he emphasized that he takes no pleasure in Diddy's ongoing legal troubles.
Diddy's representatives have categorically denied Shyne's accusations. "Mr. Combs categorically denies Mr. Barrow's allegations, including any suggestion that he orchestrated Mr. Barrow to 'take the fall' or 'sacrificed' him by directing witnesses to testify against him," a spokesperson told Page Six. They added, "Mr. Combs was acquitted of all charges related to the [1999 incident] and has consistently maintained his innocence."
The documentary also features a bizarre account from Diddy's former bodyguard, Gene Deal, about an encounter before the shooting verdict. Deal described how Diddy stopped in Central Park to meet a man holding a caged bird. The man performed a ritual involving sage and instructed Diddy to release the bird, which, according to Deal, "fell straight to the ground like a brick."
The timing of the documentary's release adds another layer to Diddy's mounting legal troubles. Currently detained in Brooklyn, Diddy faces federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. These charges stem from a broader investigation into allegations of abuse and coercion.
In November 2023, Diddy's former partner, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, filed a lawsuit accusing him of rape and physical abuse during their decade-long relationship. While Diddy settled the lawsuit within a day, it prompted other accusers to come forward with similar claims.
Shyne, who now serves as Leader of the Opposition in Belize, has rebuilt his life since his deportation in 2009. After finding religion during his incarceration, he became an Orthodox Jew and later reconnected with his father, a former prime minister of Belize. Despite the allegations in his documentary, Shyne has consistently expressed gratitude for the lessons he has learned, even from his most challenging experiences.
