NEW YORK – Netflix has publicly dismissed accusations from Sean “Diddy” Combs that its newly released documentary series, “Sean Combs: The Reckoning,” features unlawfully obtained footage or was created as retaliation. The four-part series premiered Tuesday.
Combs is currently serving a four-year federal sentence related to prostitution charges and has labeled the Netflix program a “shameful hit piece.” His legal team claims that much of the material used in the series was not authorized, suggesting it was procured improperly.
In response on Tuesday evening, Netflix asserted that these allegations are unfounded. A spokesperson stated via Deadline: “‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning’ is based on legally obtained footage and has no connection to past dealings between Mr. Combs and Netflix. He did not participate under duress or with payment.”
“We moved heaven and earth to keep the filmmaker’s identity confidential,” Stapleton added, addressing questions about the legal compliance of obtaining the material.
Combs’ representatives informed Deadline that the series utilizes clips from content they had been filming for years as part of an independent documentary. The segment used in the show was reportedly filmed just six days prior to Combs’ arrest, according to Juda Engelmayer.
Furthermore, it was noted that despite repeated requests and offers to comment on the series before its debut, Combs’ legal team failed to respond adequately, leading Netflix to proceed as scheduled anyway.
Ahead of the release, lawyers for Sean Combs sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding removal until they could review all content. However, Netflix disregarded this and went ahead with launching “Sean Combs: The Reckoning.”
