Sean 'Diddy' Combs has suffered another financial setback behind bars: a judge ordered him to pay NBCUniversal $477,700.50 in attorneys' fees after the company successfully defended itself against his lawsuit over the documentary 'Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy.'
Combs filed the lawsuit against NBCUniversal in February 2025, accusing the company, its Peacock streaming service, and production company Ample of defaming him through the documentary. His complaint challenged several allegations presented in the film, including claims surrounding the death of his former longtime partner Kim Porter and allegations involving underage women. Combs maintained that the documentary presented false and defamatory claims and sought at least $100 million in damages. The company successfully defended itself against the claims, and the lawsuit was dismissed.
The fee award was considerably less than what the defendants had requested. NBCUniversal initially sought $990,292 to cover its legal expenses in the case. The judge, however, ultimately reduced that amount by more than $512,000, finding that while the attorneys' hourly rates were reasonable based on their experience, some of the billing was excessive. As a result, Combs was ordered to cover less than half of the amount NBCUniversal requested.
Combs' representative, Juda Engelmayer, spoke to TMZ and put the ruling into perspective, noting the amount was far below what NBCUniversal originally requested. 'Yes, Sean was ordered to pay approximately $478,000 in attorneys' fees, but that is only half the story,' Engelmayer said. 'NBCUniversal sought nearly $1 million, and the Court found substantial portions of its billing excessive and unreasonable, cutting the request by more than $512,000.' He added a pointed observation: 'Ironically, the arguments challenging those excessive legal bills were made by the same firm that recently withdrew from representing Sean amid its own billing dispute with him.'
The latest ruling adds another financial obligation for the music mogul as he continues serving his federal prison sentence at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey. Combs was sentenced to 50 months in prison in October 2025 after a jury found him guilty on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
Combs is also appealing his conviction and sentence. His attorneys challenged both in arguments before the Second Circuit in April, while federal prosecutors urged the court to leave his conviction and sentence intact. The three-judge panel did not issue an immediate ruling, and Circuit Judge William J. Nardini called the proceeding an 'exceptionally difficult case.' With upwards of 70 civil lawsuits still pending against him, the NBCUniversal fee order is unlikely to be the last courtroom bill Combs faces.