Diddy Goes Clubbing?
With acquaintances like these, who needs enemies?
Shortly after the New York Police Department confirmed that Sean "Diddy" Combs was the subject of an investigation into an alleged assault at a SoHo club Saturday night, the rap mogul came forward to portray the incident as nothing more than a mild dustup between friends.
"What is being reported in the media is inaccurate," Diddy’s attorney, Benjamin Brafman, said of reports that his client was due to surrender at precinct house Tuesday morning.
"Mr. Combs is not going to be arrested today. We are hopeful that this matter will be resolved without the filing of any criminal charges, as this was a disagreement among acquaintances, not a criminal assault."
The purported throwdown took place inside Manhattan’s trendy Kiosk nightclub at around 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Police sources said the alleged victim filed an incident report and that detectives are reviewing the incident, but Diddy himself has yet to be questioned.
While officials declined to release the name of the reputed sockee, media reports identify him as Steven Acevedo.
The New York Post claims the two were arguing over an unidentified woman (who was not present at the club but who had apparently dated both men).
According to MTV News, the men were involved in an "intense" discussion before entering the club’s main room, where they were spun into separate tables. Shortly after, Combs, 37, reportedly "aggressively marched" over to Acevedo’s table, where he let loose with two successive jabs.
The Post says that one of Diddy’s ever-present bodyguards stepped between the men to prevent any further fisticuffs. Acevedo, 31, reportedly suffered a bloody nose and fat lip, per the newspaper.
Police are reportedly trying to determine whether the club, which is a store by day, has any security footage of the fracas.
While no charges have yet been filed, should the allegations pan out, Diddy could be facing a misdemeanor charge of third-degree assault.
Earlier this month, hip-hop promoter James Waldon filed a $5 million lawsuit against the name-changing wonder, stating Diddy set three of his burliest bodyguards loose on him at a New York club last June.
The 27-year-old claimed he suffered numerous injuries in the allegedly unprovoked nightclub attack, including damage to his mouth and teeth, after being repeatedly punched in the face and kicked while attempting to approach the superstar’s table.