Five fresh legal complaints, each charging Sean "Diddy" Combs with heinous acts of sexual abuse, have surfaced, brought forth by two men and three women, one of whom was a mere 13-year-old victim at the time of her alleged rape. The plaintiffs remain anonymous, yet their united voices echo accusations of sexual assault or rape, spanning a harrowing timeline from 2000 to 2022. These damning allegations, obtained exclusively by PEOPLE, were lodged simultaneously on October 20, in the heart of New York's Southern District.
This barrage of lawsuits marks just another chapter in the mounting legal troubles facing Combs, whose troubles escalated last November when his former partner, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, swiftly settled a suit accusing him of sexual misconduct. Since then, a relentless string of accusations has dogged the mogul, leading to raids on his residences in Los Angeles and Florida, culminating in his indictment in Manhattan's federal court on September 17.
In the most recent claims, one young woman, then 13 years old in 2000, recounts a nightmare scenario of being invited to one of Combs' glitzy parties in New York, following the Video Music Awards. Upon entering, she was coerced into signing a non-disclosure agreement and allegedly drugged through a tainted drink. According to her heartbreaking account, a "crazed" Combs, his eyes gleaming with an ominous intensity, declared, "You are ready to party!" What followed was an unspeakable horror, where she claims she was first raped by an unnamed male celebrity, watched by another female celebrity, before falling victim to Combs' depravity.
The other plaintiffs' tales unfold across the glitzy backdrops of Las Vegas and Los Angeles, with two more women alleging they were raped after being drugged by Combs. One male accuser recounts a chilling tale of being drugged and sexually assaulted by both Combs and an unidentified celebrity, while the second male plaintiff alleges being inappropriately groped by Combs at a lavish Ciroc Vodka event in LA.
Representing these latest plaintiffs is the renowned attorney, Tony Buzbee, who has also fiercely advocated for multiple women accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of similar misconduct. Buzbee's previous high-profile press conference, announcing his representation of over 100 alleged victims, including a 9-year-old boy, coupled with the establishment of a hotline for potential victims, preceded this flurry of lawsuits. However, Combs' legal team has hit back, asserting that the press conference and hotline were mere publicity stunts. They maintain unwavering confidence in their legal defenses and the judicial process, vowing that the truth will unravel in court, exposing Combs' innocence of any sexual assault allegations.
Amidst his ongoing criminal case, where he stands accused of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for prostitution, Combs has pleaded not guilty and remains in federal custody in Brooklyn, denied bail. In a strategic move, Combs' attorneys have filed a motion seeking to silence potential witnesses and their legal representatives from making further public statements, specifically citing Buzbee's actions.
As Combs faces yet another crucial hearing in his criminal case on October 10, where a trial date was set for May 5, 2025, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on this high-stakes legal battle. Should you or anyone you know be a victim of sexual assault, please seek help through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org for support.
