Diddy slams Sher Tremonte, says their fees overcharge him in war

**Sean “Diddy” Combs Switches Attorneys Over Alleged Unapproved Charges**

On September 16, 2024, the rapper and former record‑label mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs announced that he had changed legal counsel.

In a statement shared with Us, he said, “I made the decision to switch lawyers because I won’t let anyone take advantage of me by overcharging me and running up bills that were never approved.” He added that the dispute is strictly a business matter and “any talk about unpaid fees is just part of our dispute over those unapproved charges.”

The move follows a motion filed by Diddy’s former attorneys at Sher Tremonte to withdraw from his ongoing defamation lawsuit. Court documents show the firm alleged that Diddy had not paid a substantial balance of fees, costs, and expenses for nearly six months and had declined to cooperate or communicate with them for over four months.

Diddy’s legal battle spans two fronts: a civil claim filed in January 2025 against former NewsNation host Courtney Burgess, producer Ariel Mitchell and Nexstar Media; and a criminal case that resulted in a 50‑month prison sentence at FCI Fort Dix.

He was arrested in 2024 on sex‑trafficking and racketeering charges, pleaded not guilty, and was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution after a May 2025 trial.

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## Background & Context

In the civil suit, Diddy accuses the defendants of disseminating false stories about him on NewsNation’s platform. At the time of filing, the defendants denied all allegations. The lawsuit remains pending as Sher Tremonte seeks to end its representation.

The criminal case that led to Diddy’s incarceration began with his 2024 arrest on multiple charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering. While he pleaded not guilty, a May 2025 trial concluded with convictions on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and acquittals on the remaining charges.

He is currently serving his sentence at New Jersey’s FCI Fort Dix.

Family ties remain a central element of Diddy’s public narrative. He is father to seven children: daughters Jessie (19) and D’Lila (twin), sons Quincy (35) and Christian (28) with late ex Kim Porter, son Justin (32) with Misa Hylton, daughter Chance (20) with Sarah Chapman, and daughter Love (3) with Dana Tran.

Jessie has repeatedly expressed her admiration for his dedication to their family.

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## What People Are Saying

Diddy’s own statement emphasized that the lawyer switch was driven by a refusal to tolerate “overcharging” and unapproved bills. He stressed that “any talk about unpaid fees is just part of our dispute over those unapproved charges,” framing the issue as purely business.

Sher Tremonte’s motion alleged that Diddy has not paid the substantial balance of fees, costs, and expenses incurred during their representation. The firm claimed that Diddy’s lack of cooperation “has been rendered unreasonably difficult” and that he declined to be available for timely communication for over four months.

In a separate interview with Entertainment Tonight in July, Diddy’s daughter Jessie described him as a focused, supportive parent. She said, “He’s been very focused… He’s a great dad,” adding that she and her siblings still have “great” relationships with him despite his incarceration.

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## What Happens Next

Sher Tremonte has formally requested to withdraw from the defamation case, leaving Diddy without its representation. The defendant attorneys’ motion indicates that the client’s unpaid fees and communication lapses contributed to the decision.

Diddy’s switch to new counsel is expected to take effect shortly, though no public statement has yet identified his new legal team.

The civil lawsuit against NewsNation, Burgess, Mitchell and Nexstar remains active pending resolution. Diddy’s criminal case continues under the terms of his sentence, with potential parole considerations in the future.

The outcome of the defamation suit will hinge on the evidence presented by both sides as the court proceeds with scheduling.

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The legal saga illustrates how overlapping civil and criminal disputes can strain client–law firm relationships. As Diddy navigates new representation, the next court dates for his defamation claim will be crucial in determining whether his allegations against NewsNation hold up in a courtroom setting.