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Diplo Faces Another Allegation of Distributing Revenge Porn: LAPD Investigates

Renowned DJ and producer Diplo, whose legal name is Thomas Wesley Pentz, is facing fresh allegations of distributing revenge porn, as reported by Pitchfork on December 6, 2023. The accusations come from Shelly Auguste, who claims that Diplo distributed nude photographs of her without consent. This is the second time Auguste has accused Diplo of revenge porn, with the report filed in August and currently under review by the Los Angeles city attorney’s office.

Shelly Auguste has been entangled in a legal battle with Diplo since 2020, and this specific case is part of an ongoing dispute. Diplo had previously not faced criminal charges related to the initial revenge porn accusation. The LAPD submitted Auguste’s new case to the city attorney’s office for review in November.

Pitchfork points out that Diplo has filed a lawsuit against Auguste for stalking, trespassing, and distributing private materials. This countersuit was initiated in April 2021. Bryan J. Freedman, Diplo’s attorney, responded to the allegations, stating, “For more than three years, Shelly Auguste has been orchestrating an ongoing smear campaign against Wes — and this is just more of the same.” He expressed confidence that Diplo would defend himself successfully against these accusations.

This legal battle has a history, with Auguste initially accusing Diplo of revenge porn in November 2020 and seeking a restraining order against him. Diplo, in turn, filed a restraining order against Auguste the following month. The legal disputes have escalated over the years, including allegations of sexual battery, assault, defamation, infliction of emotional distress, and fraud.

Diplo publicly denounced all allegations in October 2021, claiming that Auguste was a stalker who had attempted to extort him for millions and subsequently sued him when unsuccessful.

The civil trial for the ongoing legal battle between Diplo and Shelly Auguste is scheduled for April 2024, with Auguste suing Diplo for various charges, including sexual battery, gender violence, intentional intrusion into private affairs, battery, assault, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and fraud.

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