Civil Suit Claims High-Profile Lawyer Demanded Payment to Suppress False Allegations
An anonymous plaintiff filed a lawsuit Monday in Los Angeles against prominent attorney Tony Buzbee, accusing him of orchestrating an “extortionate plot” through threats to publicize fabricated sexual assault allegations. The lawsuit, filed by Quinn Emanuel attorneys Michael Lifrak and Mari Henderson, claims Buzbee demanded money to prevent the release of false accusations involving parties hosted by Sean “Diddy” Combs. Buzbee recently gained national attention for filing multiple civil suits against Combs and dismissed the allegations as “laughable” and “without legal merit.” The case exposes a complex legal battle between Buzbee’s aggressive representation of Combs’ accusers and claims that his tactics crossed ethical boundaries.
5 Key Points
- The anonymous plaintiff alleges Buzbee threatened to file public lawsuits containing false accusations of minor rape unless paid through mediation.
- Court documents state Buzbee sent multiple written demands detailing alleged “vile sexual misconduct” by the plaintiff.
- The lawsuit seeks damages for extortion and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
- Buzbee denies making any threats or demands, stating his communications were routine legal correspondence.
- The case connects to broader legal issues involving Sean “Diddy” Combs, who prosecutors claim has attempted to obstruct justice while detained at MDC-Brooklyn.
Lawsuit Details Alleged Extortion Scheme
The Los Angeles Superior Court filing describes a series of escalating demands from Buzbee and his law firm targeting the anonymous plaintiff, identified only as John Doe. According to court documents, Buzbee sent multiple written communications accusing the plaintiff of “raping minors who had been drugged at parties hosted by Combs.” The lawsuit states that Buzbee threatened to “immediately file” a public lawsuit unless the plaintiff agreed to resolve the matters through mediation for money. Quinn Emanuel’s attorneys representing the plaintiff characterized the situation as “a gun to his head,” forcing their client to choose between paying “exorbitant sums” or facing “financial and personal ruin” from false allegations. The filing takes an unusual step by calling for public assistance and asking anyone with information about Buzbee to contact the Quinn Emanuel legal team.
Buzbee’s Legal Defense and Background
Tony Buzbee defended his actions in a statement to ABC News, maintaining that his communications with the plaintiff followed standard legal practices. “The letters I sent are no different than the ones routinely sent by lawyers across the country in all types of cases,” Buzbee stated. He characterized the lawsuit as “an aggressive attempt to intimidate or silence me and ultimately my clients.” The Houston-based attorney’s firm has represented multiple clients in high-profile cases against Combs, establishing a pattern of aggressive legal action against the music mogul and his associates. The specific relationship between the anonymous plaintiff and Combs, while referenced in court documents, remains undefined in public filings.
MDC-Brooklyn Investigation Reveals New Details
Federal prosecutors detailed new allegations about Combs’s activities while in detention at MDC-Brooklyn through court documents filed earlier this week. A jail cell search uncovered written notes, with redacted contents, suggesting Combs’s involvement in witness interference. Prosecutors presented evidence that Combs used other inmates’ telephone privileges to bypass monitoring systems, accessing at least eight different accounts to contact individuals not on his approved list. The filing specifically addressed Combs’s social media strategy, citing his own words about attempts to influence potential jurors. Law enforcement officials documented a pattern of behavior they say demonstrates active efforts to obstruct justice, including what prosecutors called a clear financial connection to an Instagram statement posted by an unnamed witness.
FAQ
Q: Who is suing attorney Tony Buzbee?
A: An anonymous plaintiff, identified only as John Doe in court documents filed Monday in Los Angeles. Michael Lifrak and Mari Henderson of Quinn Emanuel Law Firm represent the plaintiff.
Q: What specific allegations does the lawsuit make against Buzbee?
A: The lawsuit alleges Buzbee threatened to file public lawsuits containing false accusations of sexual assault, including rape of minors unless the plaintiff paid money through mediation. Court documents claim Buzbee sent multiple written demands detailing alleged “vile sexual misconduct.”
Q: How has Buzbee responded to these allegations?
A: In a statement to ABC News, Buzbee called the lawsuit “laughable” and “without legal merit.” He denied making any threats or demands for money, stating his communications were routine legal letters similar to those sent by lawyers nationwide.
Q: What is the connection to Sean “Diddy” Combs?
A: While the exact relationship between the anonymous plaintiff and Combs isn’t specified in court documents, the lawsuit mentions allegations involving parties hosted by Combs. Buzbee has previously filed multiple civil lawsuits against Combs and gained national attention for representing Combs’s accusers.
Q: What evidence is presented in the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit cites multiple written demands sent by Buzbee to the plaintiff. These documents allegedly contain accusations of misconduct and threats to file public lawsuits unless the plaintiff agrees to mediation. The Quinn Emanuel legal team is seeking additional information from anyone who knows about Buzbee’s activities.
Q: What actions are prosecutors alleging against Combs while in detention?
A: Prosecutors claim Combs orchestrated social media campaigns to influence jurors, attempted to leak favorable case materials, and used other inmates’ telephone accounts to contact unauthorized individuals. They also allege he potentially paid off a witness who posted a statement on Instagram.
Citations
ABC News (November 20, 2024). Attorney for many Diddy accusers sued for alleged ‘extortionate plot’. MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/attorney-for-many-diddy-accusers-sued-for-alleged-extortionate-plot/ar-AA1uk5sX
