Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is escalating his legal fight – asking the court to formally recognize that one of the defendants in his defamation case has failed to respond.
In new filings, Combs’ legal team says defendant Courtney Burgess “has not answered, moved, or otherwise responded” to the lawsuit, despite multiple attempts to serve him.
According to the documents, after unsuccessful efforts at personal service, the court authorized alternative methods – including certified mail, email, publication and text message – all of which were carried out.
The timeline is key: service was deemed complete in January 2026, giving Burgess until early February to respond – a deadline that, according to Combs’ attorneys, passed with no action.
Read the full court documents below:




