# Diddy's lawyers say he won't pay his legal bills

> The imprisoned hip-hop mogul is refusing to pay his civil attorneys and won't meet with them, forcing one to ask the judge to let him quit the case.
- Title: Diddy's lawyers say he won't pay his legal bills | Shortify
- Summary: The imprisoned hip-hop mogul is refusing to pay his civil attorneys and won't meet with them, forcing one to ask the judge to let him quit the case. Sean…
- Keywords: sean combs, diddy, unpaid legal fees, civil lawsuit, defamation case, courtney burgess, ariel mitchell, nexstar media, prison, new jersey federal prison, michael tremonte, sher tremonte
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/sean-combs-unpaid-legal-fees-diddy-not-paying-bills-lawyer-claims-asks-judge-withdraw/19841427
- Published: 2026-09-17T00:11:39+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sean combs, diddy, unpaid legal fees, civil lawsuit, defamation case, courtney burgess, ariel mitchell, nexstar media, prison, new jersey federal prison, michael tremonte, sher tremonte
## Diddy stops paying his lawyers
Sean Combs has not paid his civil attorneys in over six months while imprisoned in New Jersey, according to a court filing by his lawyer Michael Tremonte.

> Mr. Combs is in substantial arrears in paying Sher Tremonte's legal fees.
## Lawyer asks to quit the case
Tremonte is asking the judge to withdraw from representing Combs in the defamation lawsuit, citing the unpaid bills and lack of cooperation.
## Combs refuses to meet his lawyers
The imprisoned mogul has refused to meet with his civil attorneys for the last four months, making representation unreasonably difficult.

> there has been a total breakdown in cooperation and communication between Mr. Combs and the Firm
## The defamation lawsuit explained
Combs is suing Courtney Burgess, attorney Ariel Mitchell, and Nexstar Media for a hundred million dollars over false claims about videos involving minors.
## Combs disputes the legal bills
Combs' representative says he switched lawyers because of overcharging and unapproved bills, calling it a business dispute rather than a refusal to pay.

> I won't let anyone take advantage of me by overcharging me and running up bills that were never approved.
## Case could be settled soon
Both parties are potentially open to resolving the case through mediation or a settlement conference with a federal magistrate.
## Key takeaway

Sean Combs is in a defamation lawsuit while imprisoned and has stopped paying his lawyers and communicating with them for months.