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'Diddy' Sued Over B.I.G. Music Rights

Posted: 2007-10-08 07:11:12

Filed Under: Celebrities in Court, Music News

MIAMI (Oct. 7) - A former associate of Sean "Diddy" Combs has filed a lawsuit from prison against the hip-hop mogul, claiming Combs owes him more than $19 million for music by the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.

James Sabatino, a former consultant for Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment Inc., said he flew B.I.G. to Miami in 1994 to perform a show and record some music. The rapper, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, recorded about 17 minutes of vocals, and the session was also captured on about 90 minutes of video footage.

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Verne Troyer reached a settlement on Friday that ensures that the sex tape his now ex-girlfriend made when they were still a couple will not be distributed.

It was understood that both belonged to Sabatino because he paid for the rapper's travel expenses and studio time, although a contract was never signed, according to the lawsuit.

Combs' attorney did not immediately comment Saturday night. Sabatino is still in prison, and a listing for his attorney could not be found.

B.I.G. was killed in 1997 in what a still-unsolved homicide. Later that year, Combs agreed to buy the music and video footage from Sabatino for $200,000. Combs gave Sabatino a check for $25,000 and promised the rest of the money in 60 days, according to the lawsuit.

Combs said the reason for the delay was that Los Angeles police had named Sabatino a person of interest in the rapper's death. Sabatino and Notorious B.I.G. were scheduled to meet the night of the killing, but Sabatino never showed up.

Combs worried it could be misconstrued if the public found out his company had paid a person of interest in the killing, the lawsuit said.

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Trouble finds DMX again. He's arrested for failing to appear in court, after recent arrests for a drug and having no valid driver's license. He was also arrested twice in May and awaits trial on animal cruelty charges.

Sabatino was later incarcerated on unrelated charges but still tried to get the money from Combs. He was repeatedly told it was coming soon, according to the lawsuit.

The $19 million is being sought for both actual and punitive damages, the lawsuit said.

Sabatino says in the lawsuit that he felt pressured not to talk about the dispute because Combs had been questioned by police about the rapper's death. Combs apparently told police he did not feel Sabatino was involved in the slaying, but Sabatino says he feared Combs would change his story and implicate him even if it was not true.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2007-10-07 09:30:29

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123 comments

JenniferJonse28 05:09:45 AM Oct 12 2007

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I noticed her him at one big site, it seems that is BillionaireCupid.com. Sorry. I forget the username. I will check if this is true. I will tell you the results soon.

Botmojb3289 06:36:58 PM Oct 08 2007

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MORTGAGE INDUSTRY EXPOSED!!!!!
What ever borrower must know
http://www.rmdirect.net

pimpstatuz14 01:14:38 PM Oct 08 2007

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why hasnt anybody killed p diddy

pimpstatuz14 01:09:14 PM Oct 08 2007

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R.I.P TUPAC SHAKUR

jfpeitler1 11:55:45 AM Oct 07 2007

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who edits these articles and does he or she have any intelligence higher than a fifth grade education?

ZachsDadda 11:49:47 AM Oct 07 2007

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Why do we allow this spamming *****?

R.I.P. B.I.G. while your murder goes unpunished and your supposed friends profit from your blood.

ZachsDadda 11:49:35 AM Oct 07 2007

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Why do we allow this spamming *****?

R.I.P. B.I.G. while your murder goes unpunished and your supposed friends profit from your blood.

Donell2thabomb 10:58:00 AM Oct 07 2007

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