The ex-porn star who filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs over the summer may be forced to find a new lawyer.
The Root In Memoriam 2024
In a new court filing, attorney Ariel Mitchell-Kidd requested to withdraw from the case of Adria English. Mitchell-Kidd wrote that English provided conflicting instructions that made it “unreasonably difficult” for her to effectively represent her.
Those instructions were not disclosed in respect of attorney-client privilege. The court document also says there was a “breakdown” in their attorney-client relationship and that there were “irreconcilable differences” between the two from ethical and fundamental disagreements.
Ultimately, the attorney said she was forced to withdraw after English’s tone, lack of respect and “self-destructive” activities. To keep English from “undermining” her efforts to work the case, they signed an agreement Sept. 24 which was allegedly breached after English contacted another law firm. Mitchell-Kidd wrote that her withdrawal will not prejudice English in her plans to move forward.
English’s lawsuit from July accused Combs, Tamiko Thomas and Jacob “The Jeweler” Arabov of sex trafficking her between 2004 and 2009. She claimed she was chosen by Combs because he “knew he could groom her.” English specifically noted her experiences at Combs’ now-widely speculated White Parties where she was ordered to drink “copious amounts of alcohol and consume illicit narcotics” and ultimately, forced into sex work.
English has found new counsel to move forward with her lawsuit, which would be the 13th against Combs amid his current federal detention.
Why is Diddy in Jail?
On Monday, Sept. 16, the 54-year-old rap mogul was arrested in Manhattan by federal authorities. His indictment was unsealed the following morning, revealing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and engaging in interstate transportation for prostitution. The allegations against Combs include sexual abuse, physical abuse, bribery and various drug offenses.
The most notable claims stem from his so-called “freak off” sex parties, where prosecutors allege women and men were drugged and forced to perform sexual acts at Combs’ pleasure. He was also accused of using video footage to blackmail the victims into compliance.
Combs’ arrest was roughly six months after federal authorities raided his two homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March 2024, and four months after damning video footage leaked of him brutally assaulting ex-girlfriend and Bad Boy Records signee Casandra “Cassie” Ventura at a hotel in 2016.
In November 2023, Combs was sued by Ventura in a civil suit that accused him of sex trafficking, human trafficking, sexual battery, sexual assault, and other allegations. Combs quickly settled the suit within 24 hours, but lawsuits from other associates have quickly followed in the months since.
While many of the suits since 2023 have been civil, this federal case has Combs facing criminal charges. He has pleaded not guilty, and was denied bail.
As we wait for more developments check out our previous coverage on Combs’ case:
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