Sean "Diddy" Combs finds himself embroiled in fresh accusations of rape, sexual abuse, and assault, as a flurry of new lawsuits surfaced on Monday, casting a dark shadow over the renowned music mogul. No fewer than six lawsuits, filed in the federal court of New York by two women and four men, paint a harrowing picture spanning from 1995 to 2021.
These unnamed accusers allege that some of the assaults took place at glitzy parties hosted by Mr. Combs, events that often glittered with the presence of A-list celebrities and prominent music artists. The music mogul's lawyers have categorically denied these allegations, issuing a statement to the BBC that he "has never sexually assaulted anyone – adult or minor, male or female."
One chilling account recounts the experience of a 16-year-old boy who, in 1998, received an invitation to one of Combs's Hamptons parties, an annual gathering that had become a hotbed of celebrity and musical prowess. Ecstatic to attend, the teen found himself rubbing shoulders with the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry as he made his way through the lavish event. En route to the bathroom, he chanced upon Combs, and a seemingly innocent conversation about breaking into the music industry soon led to a secluded encounter.
The accuser alleges that during this intimate moment, Combs abruptly commanded him to disrobe, justifying it as "a rite of passage" and "the pathway to stardom." The rapper promised to make him a star, citing the teen's supposedly "star-worthy" looks.
Another harrowing tale unfolds in a separate lawsuit filed on Monday, where a woman claims that Combs raped her in a hotel room in 2004 when she was a fresh-faced 19-year-old college student. She recounts meeting the mogul at a photoshoot, which culminated in an invitation to a private party at his hotel. Once there, the lawsuit alleges that he "fondled, molested, and ultimately raped her," despite her repeated pleas for him to stop.
Tony Buzbee, a Texas-based attorney representing the accusers, revealed that his client list exceeds 100 individuals intent on filing suits against the rapper, accusing him of sexual assault, rape, and sexual exploitation. Shockingly, he revealed that some of these alleged victims are children. The lawsuits are being filed under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which allows victims to revive older claims.
"We will allow the allegations within the filed complaints to speak for themselves and strive to ensure that justice is served," Buzbee stated, emphasizing that "many more cases naming Mr. Combs and others as defendants are anticipated in the coming weeks, as we continue to gather evidence and prepare our filings."
These lawsuits are the latest salvo in a barrage of accusations that have plagued Mr. Combs, who stands accused of assaults, rape, and sexual extortion. He has steadfastly denied all civil and criminal charges levied against him. Additionally, he faces federal criminal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, with his trial tentatively scheduled to commence on May 5, 2025.
Since his arrest on September 16, Mr. Combs has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. His lawyers have vigorously argued for his release pending trial, citing the deplorable conditions within the jail, but their pleas were met with rejection from a federal judge who deemed Combs a "serious flight risk."
