Diddy Sues Co-Owner of His Tequila Brand , for Racial Discrimination.<br />Spirits company Diageo is being sued by the rapper for allegedly failing to market his tequila, DeLeón, <br />as much as it markets other white-owned brands.<br />Spirits company Diageo is being sued by the rapper for allegedly failing to market his tequila, DeLeón, <br />as much as it markets other white-owned brands.<br />The lawsuit, which was filed on May 31, alleges that Diageo "kneecapped DeLeón’s sales growth for nearly a decade" because it was only marketed to "urban customers.".<br />Diddy, real name Sean Combs, also asserts that <br />his vodka brand, Ciroc, was treated similarly. .<br />In a business where production, distribution and sales are the pillars of success, Ciroc and DeLeón have been starved of resources for all three, Via lawsuit.<br />While Diageo invested in and expanded <br />its other brands — many of which were <br />acquired after Ciroc and DeLeón — <br />Mr. Combs’ brands were allowed to wither, Via lawsuit.<br />According to Diddy, a Diageo executive once told him that if he was Martha Stewart <br />"his brands would be more widespread.".<br />Diageo denies any wrongdoing. .<br />For more than 15 years, <br />we’ve had a productive and mutually beneficial relationship with Combs on <br />various business ventures, making significant investments that have resulted in <br />financial success for all involved, Diageo spokesperson, via statement.<br />We are disappointed our efforts to resolve this business dispute amicably have been ignored, and that Mr. Combs has chosen to damage a productive and valued partnership, Diageo spokesperson, via statement.<br />CNN reports that Diddy "intends to <br />seek billions of dollars in damages <br />due to Diageo's neglect and breaches."
