Sean “Diddy” Combs has been ordered to pay $477,700.50 in attorneys’ fees to NBCUniversal, Peacock TV and production company Ample after losing his $100 million defamation lawsuit over the documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. A New York judge substantially reduced the nearly $1 million fee request, finding portions of the defendants’ legal bills excessive and unreasonable.Justice Phaedra F. Perry-Bond of the New York Supreme Court issued the decision on October 6, awarding the defendants $477,700.50.NBCUniversal and the other defendants had asked for $990,292 in attorneys’ fees after successfully defending against Combs’ lawsuit. The court ultimately cut the request by $512,591.50, awarding less than half of the amount sought.The judge did not reduce the lawyers’ hourly rates but found that some of the hours billed were excessive.The court particularly reduced fees connected with internal meetings, preparation for oral arguments and work on the defendants’ reply to Combs’ opposition to the fee request. According to the court record, the defendants had billed 777.5 hours through six attorneys, plus another 54.3 hours for responding to Combs’ opposition.Combs’ spokesperson Juda Engelmayer pointed to the reduction in the requested amount.“NBCUniversal sought nearly $1 million in attorneys’ fees, and the Court found substantial portions of those fees excessive and unreasonable,” Engelmayer said in a statement to PEOPLE, noting that the court reduced the request by more than $512,000.
Combs had sued NBCUniversal for $100 million
The legal-fee ruling stems from a lawsuit Combs filed in New York in February 2025 over Peacock’s documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy.Combs sued NBCUniversal Media, Peacock TV and Ample Entertainment, alleging that the documentary contained defamatory claims and caused serious damage to his reputation. He sought at least $100 million in damages.Among his allegations, Combs claimed the documentary “shamelessly advances conspiracy theories” and repeatedly insinuated that he was a serial killer.The documentary included interviews with people who accused Combs of sexual misconduct as well as former associates. Singer Al B. Sure! appeared in the film and discussed the death of Combs’ former partner Kim Porter, contributing to speculation addressed in the documentary.
Court dismissed Combs’ lawsuit in April
Combs’ amended complaint was dismissed by Justice Perry-Bond in April 2026.The court determined that the lawsuit constituted a strategic lawsuit against public participation, or SLAPP, under New York’s anti-SLAPP law. Because the defendants prevailed on their motion under the applicable provisions of New York Civil Rights Law, they became eligible for attorneys’ fees.The judge later considered the defendants’ application for reimbursement of their legal expenses.In the October 6 ruling, the court concluded that the defendants were entitled to fees but rejected substantial portions of the amount they had requested.Among the reductions, the judge found that nearly $100,000 billed for internal meetings, discussions and calls was excessive and reduced that portion by 80%. The court also substantially reduced fees associated with preparation for oral arguments.
Judge says documentary did not create the alleged reputational damage
The fee decision follows the court’s earlier rejection of Combs’ defamation claims.In that ruling, the judge questioned how the documentary could have created additional reputational damage given the extensive negative publicity and legal allegations surrounding Combs before the film’s release.The documentary was released amid extensive public scrutiny of Combs, including civil lawsuits and his federal criminal case.Combs’ lawsuit argued that NBCUniversal and the documentary’s producers used false allegations to profit from his name and reputation. The defendants disputed his claims.
Combs remains in federal prison
Combs is currently serving a 50-month federal prison sentence at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey.A federal jury found him guilty in 2025 on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.His conviction and sentence remain subject to appeal.His projected release date has changed several times during his incarceration. Bureau of Prisons records had listed January 21, 2028, in late September, but a PEOPLE report published October 8 said the projected date had subsequently moved to March 2, 2028. The Bureau of Prisons has not publicly explained the latest adjustment.
