Sean "Diddy" Combs, the music mogul and founder of Bad Boy Records, is facing yet another legal battle. Bryana "Bana" Bongolan has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court accusing Combs of a harrowing incident in 2016, alleging he dangled her over a 17th-floor balcony and physically assaulted her at his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura's apartment. The lawsuit adds to the mounting legal troubles for Combs, who is currently detained in a Brooklyn federal detention center on unrelated criminal charges.
The lawsuit, filed earlier this week, seeks $10 million in damages and includes claims of sexual battery, false imprisonment, and emotional distress. Bongolan alleges that the September 2016 incident began when Combs arrived late at Ventura's Los Angeles apartment. She claims that he began groping her without consent and, when she resisted, he allegedly held her over the edge of the high-rise balcony.
"The only purpose of dangling someone over a balcony is to actually kill them or to intentionally terrorize them and rob them of any concept of dominion over their own bodily autonomy and safety," Bongolan's attorney, James R. Nikraftar, stated in the filing. After pulling her back from the ledge, Combs is accused of slamming her into patio furniture on the balcony, causing physical and emotional harm.
Combs' legal team has strongly denied the allegations. "Mr. Combs firmly denies these serious allegations and remains confident they will ultimately be proven baseless," his representatives said in a statement. "He has unwavering faith in the facts and in the fairness of the judicial process. In court, the truth will come to light, demonstrating that the claims against Mr. Combs are without merit."
The accusations echo similar claims made in a lawsuit by Cassie Ventura Fine last year, alleging years of abuse, sex trafficking, and violence during her relationship with Combs. That case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount, but it brought to light disturbing allegations that have since encouraged others to come forward.
Bongolan's case is one of over two dozen civil lawsuits Combs has faced in recent years. Despite Combs' legal challenges, his team has pointed out that filing a lawsuit "does not require evidence" and suggested that Bongolan has long expressed an intention to pursue legal action.
Adding to Combs' mounting troubles, he is awaiting trial in May 2025 for federal charges involving sex trafficking and racketeering. Prosecutors argue that Combs poses a danger to victims and the community, leading to repeated denials of bail. A judge recently stated that no conditions of release would sufficiently ensure public safety.
The current lawsuit also claims Combs referred to himself as the "devil" and said he "could kill" Bongolan during the alleged incident. The allegations paint a chilling picture of power and intimidation, reinforcing ongoing concerns about the behavior described in other lawsuits.
Combs, who rose to fame as a hip-hop pioneer and entrepreneur, has seen his reputation tarnished by a string of legal issues. His public image has been further damaged by the resurfacing of a 2016 surveillance video showing him allegedly hitting and dragging Ventura, which aligned with allegations in her lawsuit.
