Diddy Denied

The state's highest court on Tuesday declined to hear music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs' appeal of a lower court decision ordering him to pay more than $19,000 a month in child support payments.

The hip-hop star was ordered last year to pay ex-girlfriend Misa Hylton-Brim for the care of their 12-year-old son, Justin.

The order issued by the New York Supreme Court's Appellate Division in 2005 came after Combs appealed a Westchester Family Court ruling that he should pay $35,000 a month.

Hylton-Brim had sued for higher monthly payments and about $398,000 in back support.

The appellate court judge awarded a lower, undisclosed amount in back support and ordered Combs to pay Hylton-Brim's legal fees. The judge initially set monthly support payments at $21,782, but later reduced the amount.

"We're pleased the original order was reduced but we thought there were issues applicable for the Court of Appeals to entertain," said Combs' attorney, Stephen Gassman.

In 1996, Combs was initially ordered to pay $2,795 a month in child support, according to court documents.

Combs, 36, also pays child support to model Kim Porter for their son, Christian.