Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing a new lawsuit alleging he drugged and raped an aspiring male musician in 2022, adding to a growing number of legal cases against the hip-hop mogul. The lawsuit, filed in New York County Supreme Court by attorney Tony Buzbee, claims Combs sexually assaulted a plaintiff identified as John Doe after luring him to a private party under the pretense of discussing a potential music career.
According to the court filing, the alleged incident took place in November 2022 after Combs' associate approached Doe while he was performing on the street outside a nightclub in Los Angeles. The lawsuit states Doe was invited to an "exclusive A-list birthday party" where he was introduced to Combs, who allegedly promised to help secure him a recording contract.
At some point during the gathering, Doe claims Combs offered him a drink that was laced with an unknown substance. "Incapacitated from the drugs," the lawsuit alleges, Doe was coerced into performing oral sex on Combs before being raped. The filing further states, "Because of Combs' power and notoriety, and because he was shocked and embarrassed, Doe did not report what had happened."
Doe is seeking damages for "physical injuries, emotional distress, psychological harm, anxiety, humiliation, and other harm."
Combs' attorneys have denied the allegations, calling them "ridiculous" and "demonstrably false." In a statement, his legal team asserted, "Mr. Combs and his legal team have 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."
The lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal troubles for Combs, who has been accused of sexual assault and misconduct in multiple cases spanning decades. He is currently in jail after being denied bond and is set to stand trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges in May. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case is being handled by Buzbee, a Texas-based attorney who claims to represent more than 100 alleged victims of Combs. Buzbee has filed several lawsuits on behalf of individuals who allege they were sexually assaulted by the music executive, including two women who claim they were raped in the 1990s.
Buzbee is also representing a plaintiff in a separate case against Jay-Z, alleging the Roc Nation founder and Combs drugged and raped a woman in 2000 when she was 13 years old. Jay-Z has strongly denied the claims, calling them a "blackmail attempt" and labeling Buzbee "a deplorable human."
The latest allegations against Combs have sparked renewed scrutiny of the music industry's handling of sexual misconduct claims, with legal experts suggesting the growing number of lawsuits could complicate Combs' legal defense.
Combs' attorneys have repeatedly dismissed the cases against him as opportunistic and baseless. "As we've said before, Mr. Combs cannot respond to every new publicity stunt," his legal team stated.
The case is expected to go before a jury, though a trial date has not yet been set.
