Jennifer Lopez has been unexpectedly drawn into the ongoing legal battle involving her former boyfriend, Sean "Diddy" Combs, who faces a $400 million sexual assault lawsuit from a Michigan prison inmate. The accuser, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, alleges that he was drugged and assaulted by Combs in 1997 and now claims Lopez may have information relevant to his case.
The lawsuit, first filed by Derrick in June 2024, accuses Combs of assaulting him after they met at a Detroit hotel where Derrick was working as a bartender. Derrick alleges that Combs invited him to a party at the Holiday Inn, gave him a drink laced with an unidentified substance, and later assaulted him.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch Weekly, Derrick plans to call Lopez, whom he identifies as "Jennifer Lynn Lopez aka Jenny from the Block," as a witness. Derrick believes that Lopez, who dated Combs from 1999 to 2001, has knowledge of events surrounding the alleged incident.
Combs' legal team has strongly denied the allegations, calling them "baseless" and accusing Derrick of fabricating evidence to support his claims. In a recent motion, Combs' attorney argued, "[Derrick's] claims, which were facially implausible to begin with, have ballooned into a massive conspiracy against him." The legal team also noted inconsistencies in Derrick's filings, such as different locations for the alleged assault and a delay of over two decades in bringing the case to court.
Derrick has argued that his delay in filing was due to fear of retaliation, claiming Combs' influence and alleged involvement in other high-profile incidents, including the death of Tupac Shakur, deterred him. Combs' lawyers dismissed these claims as "conspiratorial nonsense."
Lopez, who has not publicly commented on the case, has remained largely silent about her past relationship with Combs. The pair's highly publicized romance ended in 2001, reportedly due to Combs' legal troubles, including his involvement in a nightclub shooting that same year.
The case comes as Combs faces mounting legal challenges. The hip-hop mogul, who was arrested in September on charges of racketeering and human trafficking, has pleaded not guilty. He remains in federal custody after multiple unsuccessful attempts to secure bond.
Derrick's lawsuit seeks $400 million in damages, alleging that Combs' actions caused lasting trauma and were part of a broader pattern of misconduct. The accuser also claims government officials conspired with Combs to cover up the alleged assault.
The implications of Lopez's involvement remain unclear. Legal experts suggest that while Derrick's decision to call her as a witness may draw attention to the case, it is uncertain whether her testimony would have any bearing on the outcome.
This legal battle is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Combs, whose reputation has been marred by allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse. For Lopez, her potential role as a witness could bring renewed scrutiny to her past relationship with the music mogul.
