In response to allegations made by a woman against Sean "Diddy" Combs and singer Aaron Hall, Universal Music Group (UMGR) is pushing back against the claims.
Recent documents obtained by Radar Online reveal that the music corporation seeks to dismiss the complaints in Liza Gardner's lawsuit. UMGR asserts that there is no evidence linking the company to the alleged misconduct of the musicians and argues against the accusations of enabling such behavior.
UMGR Dragged in Diddy Legal Battle
In a legal filing from November, Gardner brought a lawsuit against Diddy, Hall, UMGR, and several others.
According to Gardner, the encounter began when she met them at an event, and they proceeded to buy her drinks. Subsequently, Diddy and Hall reportedly extended an invitation to their apartment, where, as Gardner alleges, they took advantage of her intoxicated state and engaged in actions amounting to rape.
Additionally, Gardner asserted that these individuals also assaulted her friend during the same incident.
Following the reported assaults, the Bad Boy Records mogul sought out Gardner at her residence days later, engaging in acts of aggression and strangulation that led to her losing consciousness.
UMGR recently filed a motion to dismiss in a New York court, acknowledging the troubling nature of the allegations outlined in the Complaint. However, the company maintains no concrete evidence linking UMGR to the purported attacks.
READ ALSO: Diddy's Alleged Confession: Lil Rod Claims to Have Recording of Sean Combs Admitting to More Crimes
Fighting The Claims
According to its response, allegations against the music giant should be dismissed as having no connection to UMGR.
Given the details presented in Gardner's lawsuit, UMGR emphasized that the proper legal avenue for her case is the Child Victims Act (CVA) and not the Adult Survivors Act (ASA). This distinction is crucial as Gardner openly acknowledges in her Complaint that she was just sixteen years old at the time of the alleged incidents in 1990.
Consequently, UMGR asserts that the ASA is not applicable in this context, leading to the time bar of all claims.
According to the motion, "Although Plaintiff could have brought her claims under the related revival statute CPLR 214-g, the Child Victims Act ("CVA"), Plaintiff failed to do so by August 14, 2021 when the CVA's two-year revival window closed. Accordingly, Plaintiff cannot rely on either the ASA or CVA to revive her claims, and they remain time-barred." The company also charged Gardner "fails to allege facts that support any theory of liability by UMGR for assault, battery, or negligent infliction of emotional distress ('NIED')."
It went on to read, "Plaintiff makes no allegation supporting vicarious liability for battery or assault (nor could she). Plaintiff's NIED claim also fails because she has not alleged any duty owed to her by UMGR, and nowhere in Plaintiff's Complaint does she allege that UMGR's conduct was extreme and outrageous, as she is required to do as a matter of legal sufficiency."
UMGR asserted that Gardner did not provide proof that the company assisted Diddy or Hall with the purported offenses.
"Plaintiff fails to state a claim against UMGR under that statute because the Complaint is devoid of any allegations demonstrating that UMGR 'enabled' the misconduct of defendants Combs or Hall."
Lastly, UMGR said, "never served with the Complaint." If the court decides not to dismiss the music corporation from Gardner's lawsuit, the company "requests a hearing regarding Plaintiff's failure to serve the Complaint on UMGR."
Recently, Diddy has been entangled in a series of legal battles concerning allegations of sexual misconduct following a lawsuit filed by Cassie Ventura. Despite settling with Ventura without admitting fault, Diddy finds himself under scrutiny as federal authorities look into sex trafficking claims.
Homeland Security agents recently conducted raids on two of his properties. Denying any wrongdoing, Diddy remains determined to prove his innocence and address the allegations against him.
