New York Supreme Court Justice Phaedra F. Perry-Bond has ordered Combs to pay $477,700.50 in attorneys’ fees to NBCUniversal Media, Peacock TV and Ample Entertainment after they successfully defended his defamation lawsuit over the documentary ‘Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy’.
The ruling, issued on October 6, comes after the companies requested $990,292 in legal fees. The judge reduced the amount after finding that some of the work billed was excessive, although she did not reduce the lawyers’ hourly rates.
Combs filed the lawsuit in February 2025, seeking $100 million in damages and arguing that the documentary caused him reputational and economic harm. The case was dismissed in April after the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss.
The court subsequently considered the defendants’ request for reimbursement of their legal costs under New York’s anti-SLAPP provisions. The judge found that the defendants were entitled to fees after prevailing in the case.
In determining the final amount, the court maintained the attorneys’ hourly rates, which ranged from $915 to $1,980, but reduced the number of hours it considered unreasonable.
The judge specifically found excessive billing for internal meetings and discussions, preparation for oral arguments and work connected to the defendants’ fee application. The court ultimately cut $512,591.50 from the $990,292 requested, leaving an award of $477,700.50.
Combs had argued that the defendants should receive no more than $166,769.25 and asked the court to delay the fee decision while his appeal against the dismissal was pending. The court proceeded with the fee ruling, while his appeal remains pending.
The April ruling that dismissed Combs’ lawsuit found that he had not established a sufficient basis for his defamation claims and determined that the case qualified as a strategic lawsuit against public participation under New York law.
The latest order adds to Combs’ ongoing legal expenses as he remains incarcerated at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey. He is serving a 50-month sentence after being convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Combs was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges and is scheduled for release in January 2028.
Ademide Adebayo
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