Judges Ultimatum Forces Jane Doe to Reveal Identity in Diddy Lawsuit

A federal judge has determined that a Jane Doe accusing Sean “Diddy” Combs must reveal her identity, or her lawsuit will be dismissed, as indicated in court documents. In a decision filed Wednesday and reviewed by USA TODAY on Thursday, Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil stated that the key issue is whether the Jane Doe accuser has a “substantial privacy” interest that overrides the traditional and constitutional presumption of transparency in judicial proceedings. Earlier this month, Jane Doe filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of raping her when she was 19 at a Manhattan hotel in 2004. However, the judge noted that the Jane Doe plaintiff has now chosen to file a lawsuit accusing a well-known individual of serious misconduct from two decades ago, asserting that defendants have a right to defend themselves and the public has a right to know who is utilizing their courts. A federal judge has ruled against a Jane Doe accuser of Sean “Diddy” Combs, stating she must disclose her name or face dismissal of her lawsuit. USA TODAY has contacted the plaintiff’s attorneys for comments, while Combs’ team has chosen not to comment. The lawsuit, filed by Jane Doe in the Southern District of New York, is among dozens of suits against the music mogul since last November. Earlier this month, Texas attorney Tony Buzbee announced a series of new claims against Combs, including the Jane Doe and over 100 accusers his firm aims to represent. Last month, the “I’ll Be Missing You” artist was detained by federal authorities at a Manhattan hotel following two federal raids targeting him in connection to a sex trafficking investigation. He is currently in custody in New York, having been denied bail twice, and will remain there until his trial scheduled for May 2025. Judge Vyskocil stated that the Jane Doe accuser must file the lawsuit under her own name by November 13 or face dismissal. In her initial lawsuit, the accuser claims she met Combs at a photoshoot, where he invited her and a friend to his hotel for an exclusive party. At the hotel, Jane Doe alleges she was taken to a bedroom where Combs allegedly became “aggressive” with her and a friend, and that he “forcibly” touched them. She claims Combs threatened her friend to perform oral sex on him “or else he would have them both killed.” Combs also allegedly forced Jane Doe to undress under the threat of violence and “fondled, molested, and ultimately raped Ms. Doe, all while she was pleading with him to stop,” according to the lawsuit. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Brendan Morrow