After publishing an article accusing Sean Combs of knowing about an 1994 assault on Tupac Shakur before it took place, based on facts later outed as completely false, the Los Angeles Times might find itself in a courtroom with Diddy's lawyer. Or at least a conference room, working out a settlement agreement over defamation charges. Nothing is certain yet, but in a statement, Diddy's attorney Howard Weitzman hinted legal action might be the next step: The "apology is, at best, a first step, but it doesn't undo the false and defamatory nature of the story, or the suspicion and innuendo that Mr. Combs has had to endure due to these untruthful allegations and the irresponsible conduct of this particular reporter." LAT owner Sam Zell might return to cursing just yet.