Diddy Finally Settles The 1999 Club Shooting Case

Stray News | hiphopucit | June 23, 2011 at 10:01 am

Now it’s less money, less problems for Diddy — the hip-hop honcho has quietly settled all civil actions against him stemming from the infamous shoot-’em-up at Club New York more than a decade ago, The Post has learned.

Sean “Diddy” Combs, his former protégé Jamal “Shyne” Barrow and the now-defunct Times Square hot spot struck a deal earlier this year with three clubgoers shot by Barrow in the notorious 1999 melee, court records show.

The exact terms of the settlements were unknown because of confidentiality agreements between the parties, but former Club New York owner Michael Bergos, who did not sign the confidentiality deal, said the most seriously injured victim, Natania Reuben, was paid $1.8 million.

Reuben, 40, was shot in the nose and suffered seizures because of seven bullet fragments still lodged in her face.

Two other victims were paid $500,000 and $50,000. Bergos said he was unsure who paid what amount in the deal, but Barrow’s and the club’s shares were picked up by insurance companies, while Diddy — who was acquitted in the criminal case related to the brawl — had to pay out of pocket because his insurance company had gone belly up.

A rep for Diddy declined comment.

Reuben’s lawyer, Debra Reiser, also declined comment, saying,

“My client wanted the confidentiality agreement because she didn’t want any further publicity. She’s been victimized enough.”

Bergos said he refused to sign the confidentiality deal

“because I did nothing wrong and I may need to talk about [the incident] sometime in the future.”

The shooting occurred Dec. 27, 1999, when Combs was still known as “Puff Daddy” and dating Jennifer Lopez. Bergos said Combs, Lopez, Barrow, Combs bodyguard Anthony “Wolf” Jones and others went to the then-hot spot to celebrate signing Barrow to a record deal.

The night turned ugly when Combs’ crew exchanged words with another clubgoer, Matthew “Scar” Allen.

Barrow pulled out a gun and started firing away. He was later convicted of shooting two bystanders.