A civil lawsuit accusing music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and R&B singer Aaron Hall of sexual assault is now officially moving forward after a year of procedural delays, legal filings show.
The suit, filed in April 2024 by Liza Gardner, alleges she was sexually assaulted in 1990 at a music industry event when she was 16 years old. The complaint names both Combs and Hall as defendants and claims they assaulted her during a gathering tied to MCA Records. Both have denied the allegations.
The case’s progress was stalled for more than a year because Hall could not be located to be formally served with court papers — a prerequisite for the case to proceed. After extensive efforts by process servers and investigators across multiple states, Hall was finally found and served in Alpharetta, Georgia, on Feb. 2, 2026.
According to reports, Hall was staying at an Extended Stay motel when the legal documents were delivered, ending a search that legal teams say lasted more than 12 months. Hall initially refused to accept the papers, leaving them at his feet — a method that Georgia law still considers proper service.
With Combs already served and Hall now legally notified, the lawsuit can advance through the federal court system. Prior reporting noted that the case had cleared early procedural hurdles after confirming Hall’s service and overcoming earlier delays.
Combs, who in recent years has faced a wide array of criminal and civil legal challenges, continues to deny any wrongdoing in this matter.
Where the case stands now
- Service complete: Hall’s formal notification allows the lawsuit to proceed on its merits.
- Civil process underway: With both defendants now served, the plaintiff’s legal team can pursue discovery and other pre-trial actions.
- Denials from defendants: Combs and Hall have both publicly denied the allegations.
Legal analysts say the development could mark a significant shift in the long-running civil litigation against Combs, which encompasses multiple claims by different plaintiffs alleging sexual misconduct.
What’s next: The case will now move through standard civil procedures, including written discovery, depositions and pre-trial motions. Court dates have not yet been announced.
