by Kandiss Edwards
January 7, 2026
Diddy is reportedly having trouble paying his bills behind bars.
Several associates and attorneys linked to Sean “Diddy” Combs say they have not been paid while the disgraced music mogul is incarcerated. Comb's representatives deny the claims.
According to TMZ, employees of Combs claim that paychecks were late or withheld while he was in federal custody. Mounting frustration among employees has led to at least one reported resignation. TMZ quoted unnamed employees and lawyers as saying that an outside corporate management firm was overseeing financial decisions during Diddy's incarceration.
Tri Star Sports & Entertainment reportedly manages Combs' finances. Invoices for Diddy's expenses are submitted, reviewed and approved by Tri Star. The outlet said some payments were not approved, which contributed to some employees not being paid. Additionally, there are rumors that even Combs' family members are required to submit expense claims for the company to review.
A representative for Combs denied the claims. Juda Engelmayer says the producer still has control over its operations and all employees are fairly compensated.
“People, staff and lawyers all get paid and no one leaves the company.” Engelmayer added: “Sean Combs controls his own finances. Everyone is paid for their work as it is completed and verified after routine review.”
Combs was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison in October 2025 after being convicted of two Mann Act counts related to solicitation for prostitution. In the same case, he was acquitted of conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.
Combs served his sentence shortly after the verdict and remains in federal custody as several civil lawsuits against him continue to play out in court.
No court filings or statements from federal prosecutors regarding the wage and salary allegations have been released. Tri Star Sports & Entertainment did not respond to requests for comment from outlets covering the dispute. The claims about unpaid staff have not been independently verified beyond TMZ's reporting.
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