What charges are Diddy accuser Derrick Lee serving time for? Michigan prisoner plans to call Jennifer Lopez as witness in $400M lawsuit

A Michigan prison inmate, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, plans to call Sean "Diddy" Combs's ex, Jennifer Lopez, as a witness in his lawsuit against the rapper. Citing court documents, In Touch reported on December 20, that Derrick accused Combs of s*xually assaulting him at a hotel in 1997.

According to the publication, the inmate named "Jennifer Lynn Lopez aka Jenny from the Block," in the lawsuit and is asking her to testify. Lopez dated Diddy from 1991 to 2001, and Derrick believes she might hold information that could back his claims about the alleged assault. He is seeking $400 million for "monetary, punitive, and compensatory damages."

Jennifer Lopez and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs Attend 1999 MTV Music Awards (Image via Getty)

According to Times Now, Derrick is currently serving time at the Michigan Department of Corrections for s*xual misconduct and kidnapping stemming from an unrelated case.

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Derrick Lee first filed his lawsuit against Diddy in June 2024

According to Derrick Lee's lawsuit, he met the rapper while working as a bartender. Diddy allegedly invited him to a s*x party at a Holiday Inn. According to In Touch, which cited the lawsuit, the rapper reportedly gave Cardello-Smith a drink, telling him he "added a little something to it for you."

When Derrick regained consciousness, he found Combs reportedly having s*x with a woman. At the time, the rapper allegedly turned to him and said, "I did this to you too!" In his filing, Cardello-Smith claimed that he tried to file a police report but was shut down.

He also accused government officials of working with the rapper to suppress evidence of his alleged crimes. According to a September 2024 report by USA Today, the suit included a copy of a 1997 "agreement of silence and confidentiality" reportedly signed by himself, Combs, and others, including Michigan officials.

Derrick Lee initially filed a civil suit against Diddy in June 2024. In September, he was granted $100 million in a default civil suit judgment. To be noted, a default judgment is made when either party fails to take action (like not responding to a summons or failing to appear in court).

At that time, Combs' legal team filed to have the judgment dismissed, claiming their client was not informed of Cardello-Smith's complaint. Refuting the allegations, Diddy's filing read:

"This is a frivolous lawsuit against a prominent businessman, based on obvious fabrications, filed by a convicted rapist and serial litigant with an overactive imagination and a thirst for fame."

It continued:

"The assault allegedly occurred in June 1997, any claim (Derrick Lee) might have had expired in June 2000—more than two decades before (he) commenced this litigation. For this reason alone, the court should dismiss the complaint in its entirety with prejudice."

The judge agreed and allowed the rapper to respond to the suit.

This is not the first time Diddy has been accused of drugging and r*ping someone. The rapper was arrested in September on charges of s*x trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. According to his unsealed indictment, Combs ran a "criminal enterprise" that s*xually and physically abused "women and others" for years.

This included participating in "elaborate and produced s*x performances" at his "freak off" parties. He allegedly often gave these women drugs like ketamine, ecstasy, and GHB to keep them "obedient and compliant."

Since then, several others have filed separate lawsuits against the rapper, with many alleging that they were drugged and r*ped.

Diddy has denied all allegations against him. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, with his trial set to begin next May.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez has not publicly reacted to the development.