EXCLUSIVE: Diddy’s Lawyers Want Out After Seven Months Without A Payment

Diddy faced another bid by his lawyers to drop him after they told a federal judge he had paid them nothing for more than seven months.

Sher Tremonte LLP asked to withdraw from Thalia Graves’ sexual assault lawsuit in an October 15 filing, extending a fee dispute that had already spilled into other cases. Partner Michael Tremonte also sought permission to hold Diddy’s files until the firm received its money.

The declaration did not disclose the amount owed. It said Diddy, whose legal name is Sean Combs, last paid for work and expenses dating to late 2025.

“More specifically, Mr. Combs has not paid Sher Tremonte anything for over seven months and his last payment related to fees and expenses that were incurred in late 2025. Accordingly, a substantial portion of the total overdue balance consists of invoices that are over 90 days in arrears,” Tremonte wrote.

The firm said the problem went beyond money. Tremonte accused Diddy of refusing the direct talks needed to handle his cases, despite repeated warnings sent to Fort Dix and to the person holding his power of attorney.

“In addition to Mr. Combs’s refusal to pay in accordance with the express terms of his agreement to do so, there has been a total breakdown in cooperation and communication between Mr. Combs and the Firm. Mr. Combs has declined to make himself available for timely, substantive, and direct communications about his cases for over four months,” he wrote.

Graves sued Diddy and Joseph Sherman in September 2024, alleging they drugged and raped her at a New York recording studio in 2001 and recorded the assault. Diddy denied her allegations. Sherman denied ever meeting her.

The new request followed Sher Tremonte’s attempts to leave Diddy’s cases involving producer Lil Rod and NewsNation parent Nexstar. In September, Diddy disputed the firm’s billing through spokesperson Juda Engelmayer, telling USA TODAY that lawyers had charged him for work he never approved. He described the split as a business dispute.

That fight over his own legal bills came as Diddy was also ordered to cover an opponent’s costs in his documentary battle.

On October 6, Judge Phaedra F. Perry-Bond awarded NBCUniversal, Peacock and Ample $477,700.50 after dismissing his lawsuit over Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. Diddy had sought at least $100 million, alleging the film spread false accusations involving murder and sex with minors. The judge cut the companies’ requested legal bill of $990,292 by more than half.

NBC also put his prison life under scrutiny. Its September investigation cited former fellow inmates who alleged he had access to liquor and banned electronics and paid others for meals, cleaning and massages. His team maintained he was following prison rules.

Union official Jose Rojas told TMZ Diddy’s record listed July 31 and September 30 fights, plus phone violations.

NBC separately reported that prison officials sanctioned him for disruptive conduct and stripped him of 41 days of good-conduct time, citing a union official.

The latest prison controversy also brought a firm denial. The Bureau of Prisons told USA TODAY on October 15 that the reported fight with Christopher “Dudus” Coke did not happen. Engelmayer said Diddy’s team had no verified information that anyone attacked him or that he suffered injuries.

Diddy is serving a 50-month sentence after his convictions on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.

In the Graves case, Tremonte argued that replacing counsel would not delay a trial or hearing because the case was stayed while two appeals addressed the law underlying a dismissal argument. The firm asked the judge to approve its exit and let it retain the files until payment.