Sean “Diddy” Combs must pay $100 million in damages for sexual assault

In the latest legal setback for Sean “Diddy” Combs, a Michigan inmate has won a $100 million default judgment for sexual assault against the controversial producer and entrepreneur, who has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct over the past year.

According to Detroit's Metro Times and court documents, the compensation was awarded Monday by a Lenawee County District Court judge after a temporary restraining order was issued against Combs against 51-year-old Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith. Cardello-Smith is described as a “Michigan inmate known for his long history of challenging the justice system with civil suits.” The suit alleges that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted Cardello-Smith at a Detroit party in 1997. The judge set a payment plan of $10 million per month, beginning Oct. 1.

The default judgment was entered after Combs failed to appear for a virtual hearing on Monday.

The lawsuit states that Cardello-Smith met Combs while he was working at a Detroit-area restaurant. The two met a group of women at a party and were having sex with them when Cardello-Smith said he felt a male hand, which he said was Combs', touch him. He said Combs later offered him a drink that was laced with drugs, rendering him unconscious. He said he woke up and saw Combs having sex with a woman; Combs allegedly told him, “I did that to you too.”

According to the Metro Times, Cardello-Smith, who is serving a different prison sentence, is a self-taught lawyer who has studied civil and criminal law.

Cardello-Smith claims that Combs offered him $2.3 million in August to dismiss the suit, but he declined and said he would continue to pursue the case. Combs reportedly responded, “You know how we're going to get down.” Cardello-Smith said he responded, “I don't agree with how you're going to get down.”

While Combs has denied most of the numerous allegations of sexual misconduct made against him, he admitted in June to assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura after video footage of a 2016 incident at a hotel was leaked. He apologized and said he was “f***ed up.”

A spokesman for Combs did not immediately respond to diversityasked for a comment.