Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing a new wave of serious allegations, as multiple lawsuits have been filed against the music mogul, accusing him of sexual assault, rape, and sexual misconduct. The lawsuits, six in total, were filed in New York federal court on Monday by two women and four men. The claims, which span from 1995 to 2021, allege that some of the incidents took place at Combs' notorious parties, events that often attracted major celebrities and music artists.
One of the accusers, a male, claims he was 16 years old when he attended one of Combs' infamous parties in the Hamptons in 1998. In the lawsuit, the accuser describes being excited to attend the event, which was a coveted A-list gathering at the time. According to the filing, the accuser had a conversation with Combs, who promised to make him a star. The situation allegedly escalated when Combs demanded the teen to undress, calling it a "rite of passage" and assuring him that he had the right "look" for stardom. A photo of the two at the party, with the teen's face blurred, is included in the lawsuit as evidence.
In another lawsuit filed Monday, a woman claims she was raped by Combs in 2004 when she was a 19-year-old college student. The lawsuit alleges that Combs invited her and a friend to a private party at his hotel after meeting her at a photoshoot. Once at the party, the woman claims Combs fondled and assaulted her, ignoring her repeated requests to stop.
Combs' legal team has vigorously denied the allegations. In a statement to the BBC, his lawyers said, "Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone-adult or minor, man or woman." However, these lawsuits are part of a growing number of legal actions being brought against the rapper and producer, with Houston-based lawyer Tony Buzbee representing more than 100 individuals planning to file claims. Buzbee indicated that many of the alleged victims include minors and that these cases are being filed under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, allowing older claims to be heard in court.
"We will let the allegations in the filed complaints speak for themselves and will work to see that justice is done," Buzbee said in a statement. "We expect to be filing many more cases over the next several weeks naming Mr. Combs and others as defendants."
The lawsuits come as Combs faces mounting legal pressure, including federal criminal charges for racketeering and sex trafficking. His trial is set to begin in May 2025. Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest on September 16. His legal team has requested his release, citing the facility's "horrific" conditions, but a federal judge denied bail, labeling Combs a "serious flight risk."
Beyond the two high-profile allegations, the new lawsuits contain other disturbing claims. One lawsuit alleges that a security guard working at one of Combs' White Parties in 2006 was drugged and assaulted. Another accuser claims to have been assaulted by Combs in 2008 while working at Macy's in New York City. The lawsuit states that Combs forced the man to perform sexual acts in a stockroom, after which Combs allegedly threatened him, saying, "Shut up or I'll kill you." The plaintiff claims that Macy's executives pressured him to keep quiet and eventually terminated his employment.
Another troubling accusation comes from a man who alleges that he was assaulted in 2021 after attending a party at Combs' residence. The lawsuit describes how the man consumed an alcoholic beverage that rendered him incapacitated. He claims that Combs and at least two other men sexually assaulted him while he was physically unable to resist.
Combs, a towering figure in the music industry and pop culture for decades, has faced numerous allegations of misconduct in recent years. Prior to Monday's filings, he had already been the subject of multiple civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual exploitation, misconduct, and other illegal activities. His legal team has consistently denied these claims, framing them as attempts at blackmail and extortion.
However, as more lawsuits emerge, the scope and gravity of the accusations against Combs appear to be growing. The latest filings, especially those involving minors and violent assaults, are likely to intensify scrutiny around his past behavior and how such incidents were allegedly enabled over the years.
Buzbee, who has become a prominent figure in pursuing claims against powerful men in the entertainment industry, reiterated that his legal team is continuing to gather evidence and prepare additional filings. "This is just the beginning," he said.
The court will ultimately decide the fate of the music mogul, but as the cases continue to mount, the allegations against Combs present a disturbing portrait of abuse, manipulation, and exploitation that has allegedly spanned decades.
