Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ ugly authorized battle with alcohol large Diageo won’t transfer ahead till subsequent 12 months following a panel of judges granting the corporate’s request for a keep of the lawsuit.
A lawsuit filed by Sean “Diddy” Combs accusing alcohol firm Diageo of treating his manufacturers unfavorably as a result of he’s Black has been positioned on maintain till 2024. On Tuesday, a panel of New York judges granted Diageo’s request for a keep (a pause in authorized proceedings) amid efforts to persuade the appeals courtroom to ship the case to non-public arbitration. Diddy’s attorneys referred to as the request a “determined try” to delay dealing with justice for discriminatory conduct.
“As soon as the appellate courtroom considers the precise deserves, we’re assured that they are going to attain the identical conclusion as two separate judges already: that Diageo can’t keep away from a public trial,” mentioned Diddy’s legal professional, John Hurston.
Combs first sued Diageo in late Might with allegations that the corporate didn’t uphold its dedication to range and inclusion, neglecting his liquor manufacturers, Cîroc Vodka and DeLeón Tequila, as a result of he’s Black. Diddy’s legal professionals allege within the go well with that the corporate “cloaking itself within the language of range and equality is nice for Diageo’s enterprise, however it’s a lie.”
On the time, a spokesperson for Diageo launched a press release, writing, “It is a enterprise dispute, and we’re saddened that Mr. Combs has chosen to recast this matter as something apart from that. Our steadfast dedication to range inside our firm and the communities we serve is one thing we take very severely. We categorically deny the allegations which were made and can vigorously defend ourselves within the acceptable discussion board.”
Among the many claims within the lawsuit, Diageo’s President of Reserve and New Enterprise, Stephen Rust, instructed Diddy that his being Black was in actual fact “a part of the explanation Diageo restricted the neighborhoods the place the Combs manufacturers have been distributed,” and that “issues could be totally different” have been he Martha Stewart.
Following that lawsuit, Diageo filed a countersuit and ended its enterprise relations with Combs, who filed one more go well with towards the corporate, accusing them of “unlawful retaliation,” alleging that Diageo has no authorized foundation to finish his model offers.
“Whereas Diageo has self-servingly misrepresented the targets of Combs’ lawsuit within the press, its try and retaliate towards Combs for asserting his authorized rights won’t work in courtroom,” wrote Diddy’s attorneys.