Sean "Diddy" Combs, the embattled music mogul, is facing increasing legal troubles as new details emerge about a $6 million hush money settlement with a male escort who accused him of being a "sex slave" and the mounting lawsuits that now include over 100 accusers. The high-profile allegations against Diddy include claims of sex trafficking, racketeering, and physical abuse, painting a grim picture of misconduct that allegedly spans decades.
According to sources familiar with the case, Diddy agreed to pay the settlement to a male sex worker who claimed he was hired for illicit encounters with both Diddy and his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, as reported by RadarOnline. The settlement, negotiated by renowned attorney Mark Geragos, was intended to silence the claims and prevent the escort from discussing details of his encounters with the rapper. However, despite the non-disclosure agreement, the individual has reportedly told his story to federal prosecutors and testified before a grand jury that continues to investigate the allegations against Combs.
This revelation adds another layer to the already complex legal battles facing Diddy, who was arrested last month on charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and interstate transportation for prostitution. His indictment also suggests a potential for further charges as the grand jury continues to gather evidence, with prosecutors honing in on Diddy's alleged involvement in orchestrating "freak off" parties where illegal activities, including drug use and sexual exploitation, were said to have taken place.
Mark Geragos, Diddy's defense attorney, has a history of representing high-profile clients, including Michael Jackson and Chris Brown. His daughter, Teny Geragos, is expected to play a critical role in cross-examining witnesses should the case go to trial. "The civil settlement did not prevent the man from telling his version of what happened between him and Ventura to federal prosecutors and the grand jury," said a source close to the matter. The defense, however, is expected to argue that the engagements were consensual and that claims against Diddy are motivated by financial gain or career advancement.
As these allegations continue to surface, Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee has announced his involvement in a massive lawsuit against Diddy, representing 120 plaintiffs who accuse the rap mogul of sexual exploitation, rape, and assault. Buzbee's legal team has been actively investigating additional high-profile figures who may have been involved in the alleged crimes or witnessed these incidents at Diddy's infamous "White Parties," where misconduct was said to be rampant.
"Our Herculean task is to try to sift through every one of these calls and make sure that we're identifying those who are victims and those who are witnesses," Buzbee told reporters, revealing that a hotline set up by his firm received over 12,000 calls in just 24 hours. The team, consisting of over 100 people, is meticulously reviewing the claims to determine their credibility and gather supporting evidence, according to The Root.
The explosive nature of these claims has led to a growing list of individuals implicated in the scandal, with reports suggesting that several celebrities have already opted for private settlements to avoid public scrutiny. Buzbee hinted that more A-list names could be revealed in the coming weeks as his firm continues its litigation efforts against Combs. He stated that no one who was involved in or witnessed these crimes would be exempt from accountability.
Diddy's alleged activities also include accusations from minors, with some of the cases dating back to when the victims were as young as nine years old. The current lawsuit against him will be the 13th since a previous case filed by Cassie Ventura in November 2023, accusing him of sex trafficking and physical abuse. These revelations have intensified public and legal scrutiny on Combs, whose career as a music and business mogul is now overshadowed by these serious allegations.
The federal probe into Diddy's activities continues to widen, with prosecutors reportedly presenting new evidence to the grand jury about payments made to various witnesses and how those transactions were facilitated. The investigation is being conducted in coordination with multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and Homeland Security, which suggests that the scope of potential charges could expand beyond the current allegations.
As Diddy remains incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after being denied bail, his legal team is aggressively pursuing another bid to secure his release. Yet, with the grand jury still active and new witnesses testifying, legal experts believe that the possibility of a superseding indictment looms large, further complicating Diddy's defense strategy.
