Media and entertainment mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has placed his Beverly Hills estate on the market for $61.5 million. The listing this month comes just six months after the residence, along with Combs’ home on Miami’s Star Island, was raided by the Department of Homeland Security in connection to a sex trafficking investigation.
Major $100M Hit
The news of the listing comes as Diddy was hit with a $100 million default judgment against him. According to the Detroit Metro Times and court documents, a Lenawee County Circuit Court judge awarded a settlement on Sept. 9 to Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, 51, described by the Metro Times, which broke the news on Monday, as a “Michigan inmate known for his lengthy history of filing civil lawsuits challenging the judicial system.”
The judgment stems from a lawsuit in which Cardello-Smith alleges that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted him at a 1997 party in Detroit. The court ordered Combs to pay $10 million per month, beginning Oct. 1, following a temporary restraining order previously granted to Cardello-Smith.
It is a default judgement. A default judgment is a court order that is entered against a party who fails to meet their legal obligations within the required time frame. This can happen when a defendant fails to respond to a complaint or appear in court. Diddy’s team failed to respond to the lawsuit.
“This man is a convicted felon and sexual predator, who has been sentenced on 14 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping over the last 26 years,” Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo wrote in a statement to USA Today on Sept. 10. “His resume now includes committing a (sic) fraud on the court from prison, as Mr. Combs has never heard of him let alone been served with any lawsuit. Mr. Combs looks forward to having this judgment swiftly dismissed.”
Selling Off Assets
So Diddy might need a quick sale on his estate — if this judgment holds up.
According to Page Six, speculation that Combs would sell the property began in July.
Combs purchased the Holmby Hills estate for $39 million in 2014. The 17,000-square-foot mansion features 10 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and a two-bedroom guesthouse, making it a lavish property ready for another wealthy buyer.
Inside the Holmby Hills Estate
The listing characterizes Combs’ home as “one of the most spectacular and beautiful estates in Holmby Hills.” And rightfully so. Sitting behind gates, the estate is a leveled 1.3 acres of land that includes expansive laws and formal garden areas throughout. Blooming trees stand next to the cobblestone driveway that leads to the main house.
When Combs purchased the property, he remodeled the two-story estate to include stately yet classic details. Inside the home, an entry foyer features a winding staircase. There’s also an expansive living room, dining room, gourmet kitchen, family room, wine cellar, and a separate catering kitchen. A movie theater that can seat 35 people is also in the lower level of the house. The upper level of the home includes an ensuite with two bathrooms and closets along with the other nine bedroom suites. A two-story guesthouse includes a recording studio, bedrooms, and a gym. Outside is a swimming pool complete with a waterfall and grotto, a spa house, and a basketball court.
But as Page Six reports, the residence’s association with the controversy and its high price might present difficulties for Combs to offload. Not to mention, as previously reported by Finurah, Combs has taken out two mortgages — one in 2014 and another in 2021 — each for $25.35 million to finance the estate purchase. Neither loan has been repaid.
Aftermath of Abuse Allegations
When Combs’ homes were raided on March 25 by the Department of Homeland Security, he had already been at the center of controversy for months. In November 2023, Combs settled a public lawsuit with ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. In the months that followed, Combs was hit with several other sexual assault lawsuits. The raids on Combs’ properties stemmed from these ongoing investigations. While Combs was not arrested, his sons were both detained outside of the Holmby Hills home during the search.
After the initial settlement with Ventura, Capital Prep Charter School ended its partnership with Combs. Days later, he stepped down as chairman of Revolt TV. Combs launched the multimedia company in 2013. Following the March raid, Combs sold his remaining shares in RevoltTV, a multimedia company he launched in 2013.
Despite being embroiled in civil lawsuits and losing business dealings, Combs’ estimated net worth is still $800 million.
