Diplo Accuser Drops Revenge Porn Lawsuit After Court Order

A significant chapter has occurred in the legal battle against music producer Diplo (real name Thomas Wesley Pentz). The anonymous plaintiff, known as “Jane Doe“, who had accused Diplo of sharing “revenge porn”, has voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit. This decision follows a recent court order that would have compelled her to reveal her real name to proceed with the case.

In a court filing submitted on Monday, January 13th, Doe’s legal counsel requested the dismissal of the lawsuit “without prejudice“, allowing for the potential re-filing of the case at a later date. The reason for this dismissal and any plans for future legal action remain undisclosed as Doe’s attorneys have not yet responded to requests for comment.

This development comes two weeks after Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani ruled that Doe must disclose her true identity to continue pursuing her allegations. While acknowledging the sensitive and highly personal nature of the accusations, the judge determined that Doe had failed to provide sufficient legal grounds for maintaining anonymity.

Judge Almadani emphasized the inherent public scrutiny associated with legal proceedings, citing precedent that those utilizing the courts must be prepared to face such scrutiny. Doe’s attorneys had previously vowed to appeal this ruling, citing the potential for severe emotional and psychological harm to the survivor. However, the status of any appeal remains uncertain following the voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit.

Diplo’s legal team has consistently denied the allegations, labeling them as an “obvious shakedown attempt“. In contrast, Doe’s lawsuit, filed in June, alleged a consensual relationship with Diplo from 2016 to 2023, during which she occasionally consented to sexual recordings. However, she claimed that Diplo subsequently shared these recordings without her knowledge or consent, causing significant emotional and psychological distress.

The lawsuit accused Diplo of violating the federal Violence Against Women Act, amended in 2022 to prohibit the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. It also cited California’s revenge porn law.

[H/T] Billboard