A legal dispute involving C.J. Wallace, the son of legendary rapper The Notorious B.I.G., has taken another dramatic turn as his attorneys push back against efforts by Jonathan Hay to overturn a default ruling entered against him in federal court.
According to newly filed court documents, Wallace’s legal team argues that Hay deliberately avoided being served with a defamation lawsuit after making explosive allegations linking Wallace and Sean “Diddy” Combs to an alleged sexual assault incident dating back to 2020.
The controversy stems from claims made by Hay, who alleged that Diddy assaulted him during a recording session connected to a tribute project honoring The Notorious B.I.G. Hay further claimed that Wallace played a role in arranging the encounter. The allegations quickly attracted attention due to the high-profile names involved and the serious nature of the accusations.
Wallace has strongly denied the claims and responded by filing a defamation lawsuit. His attorneys argue that Hay failed to cooperate with the legal process and spent months avoiding service despite repeated attempts to locate him.
Court filings state that Wallace’s team hired multiple process servers and even enlisted the help of a private investigator in an effort to serve Hay. After numerous unsuccessful attempts, service was ultimately completed through the Florida Secretary of State, a method permitted under certain circumstances when a defendant cannot be located.
Attorneys representing Wallace claim Hay provided inaccurate address information and frequently changed locations, making it difficult to complete service. They argue that these actions demonstrate a pattern of evasion rather than an innocent misunderstanding.
Hay has asked the court to set aside the default ruling, claiming that he was not properly served and was occupied with other legal matters at the time. However, Wallace’s attorneys contend that Hay has failed to provide sufficient evidence supporting those claims and has not presented a compelling legal basis for overturning the default.
The filing also challenges the strength of Hay’s proposed defenses, arguing that they rely largely on broad denials rather than specific factual evidence. Wallace’s legal team maintains that Hay has yet to demonstrate a credible defense against the defamation allegations.
Meanwhile, Diddy has consistently denied the allegations raised by Hay. Attorneys representing the music mogul have previously argued that the claims lack merit and have disputed Hay’s version of events in related proceedings.
As the legal battle continues, the court must now decide whether Hay will be allowed to overturn the default ruling or whether the case will proceed with Wallace maintaining a significant procedural advantage.
The outcome could have major implications for all parties involved as one of the more unusual and contentious celebrity legal disputes continues to unfold in federal court.
