Judge dismisses most claims against Diddy by 'Making the Band' singer

(NewsNation) — A New York judge has dismissed almost all the claims a former "Making the Band" contestant filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs, including sexual assault and racketeering. 

In a ruling Thursday, Judge Jed. S. Rakoff dismissed 21 of the 22 claims filed by Sara Rivers against her former boss earlier this year.

The claims were dismissed with prejudice, which means Rivers is unable to refile the suit.

Rivers, who appeared on Combs' reality show in the early 2000’s, filed a $60 million lawsuit against Combs alleging racketeering, assault and battery, forced labor, and false imprisonment. 

She claimed in her suit that Combs had assaulted her while she was walking down a hallway and that he backed her into a corner, reported People. 

Rivers alleged he was close enough "where he could kiss her and asks her in a low, sensual voice how she is doing, if she's ok and if she needed anything at all."

She then claimed that Combs allegedly "used his left hand to adjust the collar of her jacket and then ran his left hand across her breasts while repeating the phrase if she needs anything to let him know,” the outlet reported. 

She also accused Combs of "making physical threats to group members," claiming that he "threatened to eat the face of one person and kill another."

The judge did not rule on one charge in Rivers' complaint, which alleges Combs violated the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act. 

Rakoff said he was holding off on ruling as to whether that dismissal will be with or without prejudice, pending a decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on whether the claim is time-barred. 

“From the outset, we have said these claims were meritless, time-barred, and legally deficient. The Court agreed, finding no legal basis to allow them to proceed. We are pleased the Court carefully analyzed and swiftly dismissed these baseless claims,” Erica Wolff, Combs’ attorney, said in a statement. 

A jury convicted Combs last month on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 3, and a judge ruled he would remain in jail until then.

He also still faces a slew of other civil lawsuits filed against him.