Lil’ Rod’s controversial legal professional, Tyrone Blackburn, scored an enormous win after a decide refused Common Music Group’s (UMG) request for sanctions in a high-profile case marked by explosive allegations and intense company fallout.
The choice was handed down by U.S. District Choose J. Paul Oetken in Manhattan, clearing Blackburn of accusations that he pursued groundless claims to hurt the reputations of UMG executives. The case originated with a lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil’ Rod” Jones in opposition to Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging a litany of misconduct, together with sexual assault, trafficking and racketeering.
UMG and its senior management, together with CEO Sir Lucian Grainge and Motown Data’ former president Ethiopia Habtemariam, have been drawn into the lawsuit attributable to purported enterprise hyperlinks.
Nevertheless, these claims have been dismissed after Blackburn voluntarily retracted them throughout a procedural grace interval, citing an absence of adequate proof.
UMG sought sanctions in opposition to Blackburn, accusing him of weaponizing outrageous allegations to achieve leverage, however the decide rejected the movement, ruling there was no foundation to conclude the lawyer acted in dangerous religion.
As a substitute, Oetken acknowledged Blackburn’s well timed withdrawal of the claims mirrored an effort to appropriate—not exploit—the state of affairs.
“The dearth of authorized benefit within the withdrawn claims doesn’t set up malice or an intent to misuse the judicial course of,” Choose Oetken wrote. “To impose sanctions on this context would threat discouraging attorneys from taking over delicate instances involving severe allegations.”
The result represents a important win for Blackburn and refocuses the authorized battle on Lil’ Rod’s allegations in opposition to Diddy, which stay unresolved.
