American rapper, Sean “Diddy” Combs, is once again in the spotlight, facing new allegations of sexual misconduct, with accusations ranging from rape to sexual assault.
These claims surfaced after six lawsuits were filed in New York federal court on Monday by two women and four men.
The accusations span over two decades, from 1995 to 2021, with several incidents allegedly taking place during Mr. Combs’ high-profile celebrity parties.
The accusers, who have chosen to remain anonymous, claim that some of these assaults occurred at Mr. Combs’ famous parties, events known for drawing A-list celebrities from the entertainment world.
Among those accused in the lawsuits is Mr. Combs himself, with his legal team strongly refuting the claims. In a statement to the BBC, his representatives firmly stated that the rapper “has never sexually assaulted anyone—adult or minor, man or woman.”
One of the male accusers recalled an incident from 1998 when he attended one of Mr. Combs’ exclusive parties in the Hamptons at the age of 16.
Thrilled by the opportunity to mingle with celebrities, he described the event as a lavish affair, populated by music artists and actors.
According to his lawsuit, while walking around the venue, he encountered Mr. Combs near a bathroom. The teen seized the moment to speak with the rapper about breaking into the music industry, which led to a private conversation.
In the lawsuit, the accuser claims that during their conversation, Mr. Combs suddenly instructed him to undress, asserting that it was “a rite of passage” and “the route to becoming a star.”
The lawsuit also includes a blurred photo of the two at the party. Mr. Combs allegedly told the teen that he had the “right look” for success and boasted that he had the power to make anyone a star.
Another lawsuit highlights the experiences of a woman who alleges that Mr. Combs raped her in 2004. At the time, she was a 19-year-old college student and had been invited to a private party in Mr. Combs’ hotel room following a photoshoot.
In her lawsuit, she claims that despite repeatedly asking him to stop, Mr. Combs “fondled, molested, and ultimately raped her.”
These lawsuits are part of a larger legal campaign being led by Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee. Buzbee, who is representing the six plaintiffs, revealed that he is currently working with over 100 individuals planning to file similar lawsuits against Mr. Combs.
The accusations range from sexual assault and rape to sexual exploitation, with some claims involving minors. Buzbee stated that the lawsuits are being filed under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which allows survivors to bring forward older claims.
In a statement following Monday’s lawsuits, Buzbee said, “We will let the allegations in the filed complaints speak for themselves, and will work to see that justice is done. We expect to be filing many more cases over the next several weeks naming Mr. Combs and others as defendants as we continue to gather evidence and prepare the filings.”
These recent lawsuits join over a dozen similar claims lodged against the music mogul, who is also facing federal criminal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
After his arrest on September 16, Mr. Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His legal team has appealed for his release on bail, citing “horrific” jail conditions, but a New York federal judge denied the request, deeming him a “serious flight risk.”
The trial for these criminal charges is tentatively scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025.
