Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing a new lawsuit accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting a personal trainer at a celebrity-filled party in June 2022. The alleged victim, identified as "John Doe," claims that Combs, along with other individuals, drugged him and forced him into sexual acts during an afterparty at Combs' Los Angeles mansion.
The party took place after Combs won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards that year. The lawsuit adds to the mounting legal battles against the disgraced music mogul, who is currently in federal custody awaiting trial on unrelated sex trafficking charges.
The lawsuit, filed earlier this week in Manhattan, describes harrowing allegations of sexual assault and coercion. According to court documents, the personal trainer claims he was invited to the exclusive afterparty by a fashion designer who told him that Combs was impressed with his fitness regimen and wanted to meet him in person. The plaintiff hoped that attending the party would help advance his career and agreed to go.
Upon arrival at Combs' Hollywood Hills mansion, the trainer says he was required to sign a non-disclosure agreement before being handed a drink that looked like a tequila soda with cranberry juice. Shortly after consuming the drink, he began to feel disoriented, dizzy, and weak. The lawsuit alleges that Combs approached the trainer in a smaller room where multiple celebrities were engaged in group-sex activities, removed his pants, and performed non-consensual oral sex on him. Combs then allegedly coerced the trainer into performing oral sex on another unnamed celebrity, identified only as "Celebrity A."
"Plaintiff's physical disposition made it impossible for him to reject their advances or otherwise control his body," the lawsuit states. The personal trainer claims he was in and out of consciousness during the assaults and later found himself outside his apartment without his shirt or phone, unable to remember how he got there. The trainer alleges that the traumatic events at Combs' party caused him severe emotional and psychological harm, as well as financial loss and damage to his livelihood.
The lawsuit also includes a photo of a container allegedly used by Combs or his associates to administer GHB, commonly known as a "date-rape drug," into drinks at the party. The plaintiff is seeking compensation for physical injuries, emotional distress, and other damages.
In response to the lawsuit, Combs' legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the wave of civil suits against him "clear attempts to garner publicity." His attorneys released a statement, saying, "Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone - adult or minor, man or woman." They expressed confidence that the truth would prevail in court.
Combs has been in the legal spotlight for months. He was arrested on sex trafficking charges last year and remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. This latest lawsuit is part of a series of legal actions against the former music mogul, who has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and racketeering. The personal trainer's lawsuit joins a growing list of civil cases filed against Combs, many of which accuse him of using his position of power to exploit others.
Michael Buzbee, the lawyer representing the personal trainer, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating that his client has suffered severe psychological trauma as a result of the incident. "This case is about holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their status or wealth," Buzbee said in a statement.
As Combs' legal troubles continue to mount, his reputation as a former icon of the music industry has all but collapsed. Once celebrated for his success with Bad Boy Records and his influence on hip-hop culture, he now faces a litany of charges that threaten to permanently tarnish his legacy.
