Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing a new legal headache from inside federal prison.
Diddy’s civil attorney, Michael Tremonte, is asking a judge to let him withdraw from the disgraced music mogul’s $100 million defamation case, claiming Diddy has not paid his legal bills in more than six months and has stopped cooperating with his lawyers.
“Mr. Combs is in substantial arrears in paying Sher Tremonte’s legal fees,” the filing states, adding that the firm continued providing legal services while receiving no payment toward what it described as a “substantial balance.”
Tremonte also alleges Diddy has refused to meet with his civil legal team for the past four months, resulting in what the filing calls “a total breakdown in cooperation and communication.”
Diddy responded through a representative, saying the disagreement comes down to billing.
“I made the decision to switch lawyers because I won’t let anyone take advantage of me by overcharging me and running up bills that were never approved,” his statement said. “This is strictly a business matter.”
The lawsuit was filed against Courtney Burgess, attorney Ariel Mitchell and Nexstar Media Inc. over statements Diddy alleges were false and defamatory. A separate filing indicates the parties may be open to mediation or a settlement conference.
Diddy is currently serving time in a New Jersey federal prison following his conviction on transportation to engage in prostitution charges.
