Sean “Diddy” Combs is confronting new allegations of rape, sexual abuse, and sexual assault following the filing of several lawsuits on Monday.
In total, six lawsuits have been lodged in a New York federal court by two women and four men, encompassing claims that date back to 1995 and extend through 2021. The accusers, who remain unnamed, allege that some incidents occurred during parties hosted by Mr. Combs, which were frequented by prominent celebrities and music artists.
In response to these allegations, Mr. Combs’ legal representatives issued a statement to the BBC, asserting that he “has never sexually assaulted anyone—adult or minor, man or woman.”
One of the plaintiffs claims that he was just 16 years old when he attended one of Mr. Combs’ parties in the Hamptons in 1998. The lawsuit details his excitement upon receiving an invitation to what had become a highly coveted annual event for A-list celebrities. The accuser recounts seeing numerous stars and musicians during the party and recalls an encounter with Mr. Combs as he made his way to the restroom. The two engaged in a conversation about the young man’s aspirations in the music industry before Mr. Combs allegedly demanded that he undress.
This lawsuit also includes a photograph of the two together at the party, with the minor’s face blurred for privacy.
According to the complaint, Mr. Combs described the encounter as “a rite of passage” and purportedly told the teen that he could make anyone a star, stating that the young man had the right “look.”
Another lawsuit filed on the same day features a woman who alleges that Mr. Combs raped her in a hotel room in 2004 when she was a 19-year-old college student. The lawsuit claims she met the music mogul during a photoshoot, after which he invited her and a friend to a private party at his hotel. Upon arrival, she alleges that Mr. Combs “fondled, molested, and ultimately raped her,” despite her repeated pleas for him to stop.
Tony Buzbee, a Texas-based attorney representing the accusers, stated that he is representing over 100 individuals who plan to pursue lawsuits against the rapper for allegations of sexual assault, rape, and sexual exploitation. Buzbee mentioned that some of the alleged victims include minors. The lawsuits are being filed under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which allows for the pursuit of older claims.
“We will let the allegations in the filed complaints speak for themselves and will work to ensure that justice is served,” Buzbee remarked in a statement following the lawsuits’ filing. “We anticipate filing many more cases over the coming weeks that name Mr. Combs and others as defendants as we continue to gather evidence and prepare additional filings.”
These latest lawsuits are part of a growing number of more than a dozen complaints lodged against Mr. Combs, accusing him of various forms of sexual misconduct, including assault, rape, and sexual extortion. He has denied all civil and criminal claims against him.
Currently, Mr. Combs faces federal criminal charges related to racketeering and sex trafficking. A judge has tentatively scheduled his trial to commence on May 5, 2025. Since his arrest on September 16, Mr. Combs has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. His legal team has sought his release pending trial, citing the “horrific” conditions of the facility, but a federal judge denied their bail request, citing Mr. Combs as a “serious flight risk.”
