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Sean “Diddy” Combs has likely been celebrating behind bars. Not only will he be getting out of prison months ahead of his scheduled release date, but a judge has also dismissed a civil lawsuit against the rapper filed by Dawn Richard. 

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs release date moved up to February 2028

Diddy’s release date has been moved up to February 23, 2028, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. This is the fourth time the Grammy winner’s 50-month sentence on prostitution-related charges has been adjusted since his sentencing in October 2025. 

While neither the Bad Boy Records founder nor the BOP has commented on the new release date, Diddy has likely had his time reduced due to his participation in a drug treatment program at FCI Fort Dix. 

Meanwhile, Combs notched another legal victory on June 12 when a judge in New York dismissed Richard’s lawsuit alleging that he perpetuated a long pattern of abuse against her, beginning with her time on the reality competition series Making the Band in 2005. The former Danity Kane member says that her pay was withheld, she was subject to disparaging, gender-based remarks, and that she was the victim of multiple instances of assault and battery. 

Diddy’s rep slams Dawn Richard lawsuit

U.S. District Court Judge Katherine Polk Failla ruled that the statute of limitations had expired on Richard’s 18 claims. However, one claim of gender-motivated violence was dismissed without prejudice, meaning Richard could potentially refile in state court. Before the ruling, her attorneys tried to convince the court that the statute of limitations should be waived because Diddy’s threats against their client prevented her from taking timely action. 

“We are encouraged and look forward to pursuing our primary claim filed under the gender motivated violence act in State Court in NYC, per the judge’s decision,” Richard’s attorney Arick Fudali told People. “We intend to continue to fight for Dawn until justice is achieved.”

A representative for Diddy said Richard was simply trying to capitalize on his notoriety. 

“In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a payday — uniquely timed to coincide with her album release and press tour,” Juda Engelmayer said. 

“If Ms. Richard had such a negative experience with Making the Band and Danity Kane, she would not have chosen to continue working directly with Mr. Combs for Dirty Money, nor would she have returned for the Making the Band reboot in 2020 or agreed to be featured on The Love Album in 2023,”  Engelmayer added. “Nor would she have waited a decade to conveniently make lawsuit allegations. All of her federal claims were dismissed today. We are pleased with the results because her claims were purely fictional.”

How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

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