Diddy's Mom Off The Hook In RICO Case As Rapper Awaits His Fate

Diddy's mother, Janice Smalls Combs, is walking away free as the $33 million RICO case against her has officially been dismissed!

The decision came after months of legal proceedings, during which Smalls was accused of playing a role in financial schemes tied to her son's empire.

In February, former Bad Boy Records exec Kirk Burrowes also pointed the finger, alleging Diddy forced him out of his stake in the label, leaving him with nothing.

While Janice Smalls Combs is now clear of the RICO claims, Diddy's fate remains uncertain as he awaits his October sentencing in jail. 

The suit, filed by Deon Best, accused her of misusing her name and connections to strip him of publishing rights and royalties, a move he said left him financially and emotionally damaged. Best had sought $33 million in damages along with legal costs.

However, court filings show that the case is officially over, with the ruling stating that Best will "take nothing" while Smalls and her companies are entitled to recover their legal expenses.

TMZ obtained the September 19 decision, which made it clear that the case was dismissed on two fronts. First, the claims fell outside the four-year statute of limitations required for such complaints.

Second, the judge stated that the accusations lacked concrete details about how or when the alleged fraud occurred, rendering the claims too weak to proceed.

The former associate of Diddy launched explosive accusations against the star's mother before his case was ultimately thrown out. Best claimed Smalls committed fraud and forgery, accusing her of concealing records to seize publishing rights.

He argued that he only uncovered her alleged actions in 2023, insisting that she had illegally taken control of the track "Come With Me," which was featured on the 1998 "Godzilla" soundtrack.

Best said he was the rightful creator and owner of the song, alleging Smalls "hijacked" his publishing through unlawful tactics. His filings originally named Diddy as part of the scheme, though the court dismissed those claims for lacking specific details. 

Best later refiled his complaint, this time leaving Diddy out entirely.

Smalls may have seen one multimillion-dollar case dismissed, but she is still facing another allegation tied to her son's empire. The Blast detailed that Smalls is being sued by Kirk Burrowes, Diddy's former business partner, who says he was forced out of Bad Boy Entertainment through intimidation and threats. 

Court papers describe a decades-long pattern of "intimidation, violence, fraudulent misrepresentation, and financial concealment" involving both Diddy and his mother.

Burrowes admits Smalls was not present during the alleged assault but insists she was behind the scheme. He recalls reaching out to her afterward, only for her to act unaware of what had happened.

Burrowes is demanding damages, restoration of his ownership stake, and a full audit of Bad Boy's financial history.

The 85-year-old has made it clear she is standing by her son. The Blast pointed out that Smalls first broke her silence in October 2024, months before the 2025 lawsuits, issuing a strong statement through her attorney, Natalie G. Figgers. 

She argued that her son was being unfairly judged in the court of public opinion, calling the accusations a "narrative created out of lies." She described the scrutiny as a "public lynching," insisting he should be treated as innocent until proven guilty.

Smalls also pushed back on the claims tied to Diddy's past with ex-girlfriend Cassie, saying the backlash against him only grew after that case.

Even after surveillance footage showed him physically assaulting her in a hotel, Smalls defended him, saying he was "not the monster they have painted him to be" and deserved his day in court.

While Smalls has walked away from her own legal troubles, Diddy remains in limbo, waiting for a New York judge to decide his fate.

The Blast shared that Judge Arun Subramanian previously rejected Diddy's $50 million bail proposal earlier this summer. Now, his attorneys are asking the court to limit his sentence to just 14 months for his prostitution conviction. 

They argue that Diddy's clean conduct while in custody should be taken into account, noting he has already spent over a year in one of the country's toughest jails.

To support the request, nearly 70 letters from family, friends, and colleagues were submitted. Among them was a personal plea from his mother, who admitted her son had "made some terrible mistakes" but asked for compassion so she could spend her final years with him. 

As Janice Smalls Combs walks away a free woman, Diddy's own legal battles continue, leaving his future in question.