Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces 7 new lawsuits; other stars reportedly implicated
Seven fresh civil suits have been lodged against Sean "Diddy" Combs, with two accusers alleging they were minors at the time of being drugged and assaulted by the music mogul. For the first instance in a year-long succession of legal actions against Combs, other celebrities are implicated in the alleged assault, albeit anonymously.
One Jane Doe, in her suit, asserts she was 13 in the year 2000. She was invited by a limo driver to an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty hosted by Combs in New York City. Upon drinking a beverage, Doe’s account claims she felt lethargic and sought a place to rest. Combs, accompanied by an unnamed male and female celebrity, entered the room where she lay.
"You are ready to party!" Combs reportedly exclaimed, per Doe’s complaint. The unnamed male celebrity then allegedly raped Doe, with Combs and the female celebrity observing. Following this, Combs purportedly assaulted Doe, as the others watched, the lawsuit details.
When contacted, Combs' representatives directed CNN to a prior statement from his legal team, who denied the allegations in six other lawsuits from the previous week. "Mr. Combs and his legal team have unwavering faith in the facts, their defenses, and the integrity of the judicial system," his lawyers stated. "In court, the truth will emerge: Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone — adult or minor, male or female."
The recent lawsuits, with five filed in federal court in New York and two in New York Superior Court, encompass accusations of rape, sexual assault, harassment, battery, or false imprisonment by Combs from 2000 to 2022 in New York, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas. All incidents allegedly took place at Combs-hosted parties.
Comprising three female and four male plaintiffs, all filed as either Jane or John Doe, only one does not claim to have been drugged by Combs. Another accuser claims he was a 17-year-old aspiring artist in 2022 when allegedly drugged and assaulted by Combs, who offered him a drink, promising stardom.
These lawsuits accompany others filed last week by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee and co-counsel Andrew Van Arsdale, claiming to represent at least 120 of Combs' alleged victims, including minors. Federal prosecutors accuse Combs of orchestrating a "criminal enterprise" through his business, involving sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, and decades of abuse. He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution.
Combs remains in custody in New York, awaiting trial set for May. Over the weekend, his attorneys requested the judge to restrict potential witnesses and their attorneys from discussing the allegations publicly. "This Court should exercise discretion in issuing an order requiring all potential witnesses and their counsel to refrain from making extrajudicial statements that could interfere with Mr. Combs’s trial or prejudice the administration of justice," his lawyers urged.
Since November 2023, at least 25 civil suits have been filed against Combs on allegations of sexual misconduct. The initial lawsuit, from former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, was settled swiftly. The remaining cases continue. Combs denies all allegations. Prosecutors indicate their criminal investigation is ongoing, with potential for additional charges or defendants in a superseding indictment.
