The plaintiffs, who filed anonymously, allege disturbing patterns of abuse. One accuser, a Georgia man identified as John Doe, claims he was raped by Combs after consuming a drugged drink at a New York City house party in 2022. Another man from Texas alleges he was sexually assaulted by Combs, an unnamed bodyguard, and a third man during an audition for a music video in 2001.
Among the female accusers is a Texas resident who claims she was 17 years old when she was sexually assaulted by Combs at a 2004 Fourth of July party in the Hamptons. In her lawsuit, she describes waking up with "throbbing pains" and being threatened by Combs and his bodyguards to remain silent. Another woman alleges that she and her friends were assaulted in an SUV after attending a Halloween party in 2001.
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the five accusers, stated in a social media post that his firm plans to file additional cases weekly as it gathers evidence. "We will let the allegations in the filed complaints speak for themselves and will work to see that justice is done," Buzbee said. He claims to represent more than 100 individuals with allegations against Combs.
Combs' legal team has dismissed the lawsuits as part of a campaign to tarnish his reputation. In a statement, his representatives called the lawsuits "shameless publicity stunts" orchestrated to extract payments from a high-profile figure. "Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone-man or woman, adult or minor," his attorneys said.
These allegations come amid Combs' ongoing federal criminal trial on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, for which he has pleaded not guilty. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits his trial, scheduled for May 2025. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams has described the case as one involving years of abuse. "If you have been a victim of Combs' alleged abuse-or if you know anything about his alleged crimes-we urge you to come forward," Williams said in a statement.
The lawsuits also include detailed accusations of coercion and threats. One plaintiff stated that Combs threatened her life after an alleged assault, claiming he "ran New York and would ruin her." Another accuser described waking up in a dark bedroom during an assault and recognizing Combs by his tattoos and jewelry. According to the complaint, the plaintiff attempted to resist but was overpowered.
The timing of the lawsuits has drawn attention, particularly as they follow a separate lawsuit filed against Buzbee. In that case, an anonymous plaintiff accused Buzbee of extortion, claiming the attorney threatened to file fabricated allegations unless payments were made. Buzbee has denied the accusations, calling the lawsuit "frivolous" and "an aggressive attempt to intimidate or silence me and ultimately my clients."
The legal landscape surrounding Combs grows increasingly complex. Federal prosecutors, criminal investigators, and plaintiffs' attorneys are pursuing overlapping cases that span civil and criminal courts. Meanwhile, Combs' legal team continues to portray the lawsuits as opportunistic attacks designed to exploit his celebrity.
Legal experts have noted the challenges of pursuing high-profile cases like these, particularly when plaintiffs seek to remain anonymous. A federal judge recently raised concerns about anonymity in one of the earlier lawsuits against Combs, stating, "The people have a right to know who is using their courts." However, Buzbee maintains that the anonymity of his clients is necessary to protect their privacy and safety.
