Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs files a lawsuit against a man who alleged the existence of incriminating sex tapes, claiming they do not exist.

Sean “Diddy” Combs attends the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 26, 2022. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES (NB360) — Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs initiated a defamation lawsuit on Wednesday against a man who they claim falsely alleged having videos implicating the music mogul in sexual assaults involving eight celebrities.

The lawsuit, submitted in federal court in New York City, accuses Courtney Burgess and his attorney, Ariel Mitchell, of concocting “outrageous lies” as part of an attempt to potentially capitalize on the media frenzy surrounding Combs, who faced indictment in September on sex trafficking charges.

Combs also filed a suit against Nexstar Media, asserting that its cable news network, NewsNation, broadcast Burgess’ allegations without verifying their accuracy. According to the lawsuit, the videos do not exist.

“These defendants have intentionally fabricated and spread outrageous lies with reckless disregard for the truth,” stated Erica Wolff, Combs’ attorney. “Their falsehoods have tainted public perception and compromised the jury pool. This complaint should serve as a warning that such intentional falsehoods, which threaten Mr. Combs’s right to a fair trial, will no longer be tolerated.”

Burgess and Mitchell did not immediately respond to emails from The Associated Press seeking comment. A call to Mitchell was unanswered. A spokesperson for Nexstar Media Group declined to comment.

Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to the sex trafficking charges filed against him following his arrest in September. He remains in custody, awaiting a trial set for May 5, after being denied bail by judges.

Following Combs’ arrest, Burgess began conducting interviews with reporters, social media influencers, and true crime podcasters, claiming to possess flash drives with incriminating evidence given to him by the late actor and model Kim Porter, a longtime partner of Combs and mother of four of his children.

However, the videos Burgess claims to have never surfaced publicly. Some individuals close to Porter told The New York Times in a November article that they were unaware of Burgess and doubted his claims. Burgess has admitted that he does not know Combs personally.

Federal prosecutors have not publicly identified Burgess as being involved in the criminal case.

In interviews, Burgess claimed law enforcement seized the videos from his home. Mitchell also informed reporters that Burgess handed over the drives to the federal government.

The lawsuit stated both claims were “completely false.”

“No such video was ever turned over to the government because no such video exists,” the lawsuit stated.