A New Wave of Lawsuits Accuses Sean “Diddy” Combs of Sexual Assault and Molestation
At least six lawsuits were filed against hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in federal court in Manhattan on Monday. The lawsuits, filed anonymously, include two by women identified as Jane Does and four by men identified as John Does.
Group of Over 100 Alleged Victims
According to the accusers’ lawyers, these lawsuits are part of a larger group of over 100 alleged victims currently in the process of taking legal action against Combs. This follows his arrest last month on sex trafficking charges.
One of the John Does, a North Carolina man, claims Combs sexually assaulted him at a white party hosted by the rapper in the Hamptons in 1998, when the plaintiff was 16 years old. The lawsuit alleges Combs ordered the then-teen to drop his pants as a “rite of passage” into the music industry, asking, “Don’t you want to break into the business?” The man complied, feeling fear, anxiety, and power imbalance, but later realized it was sexual assault.
Criminal Charges and Legal Defense
These lawsuits mark the first accusations involving minors. Previously, Combs had only faced civil cases and criminal indictments related to adults. Combs’ representatives have not responded to the recent allegations, but earlier this month, his lawyer called the accusations “meritless” and labeled the situation a “reckless media circus.”
Combs, 54, has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He is accused of using a network of associates to coerce and abuse women over several years, silencing them through blackmail, violence, and threats, including kidnapping and arson. His legal team has been unsuccessful in securing bail, with judges determining he would be a danger to the community. Since his September 16 arrest, Combs has been held in a Brooklyn federal jail.
Judges Block Bail for Safety Concerns
Two judges have ruled that Combs should remain in custody, citing concerns that he could tamper with witnesses or obstruct an ongoing investigation. A proposed $50 million bail package, which included home detention and electronic monitoring, was rejected. On Friday, an appeals court judge also denied his immediate release, as a panel of judges weighs his bail request.
Additional Lawsuits Filed in Manhattan Court
Other lawsuits filed Monday detail disturbing allegations. One of the Jane Does claims Combs raped her in a locked hotel room in 2004 after inviting her and a friend to a party. She alleges that after giving them drinks and cocaine, Combs forced her friend to perform oral sex on him, threatening to kill them both if they did not comply.
Another Jane Doe alleges that Combs attacked and raped her in a bathroom during a party in 2005 for the late rapper Biggie Smalls’ music video, “One More Chance.” She claims Combs slammed her head against a wall before assaulting her, warning her afterward to remain silent or “disappear.”
Male Accusers Also Speak Out
In a separate lawsuit, a John Doe alleges that during a 2006 party in the Hamptons, Combs gave him a drink he believes was drugged, leading to Combs sexually assaulting him in a van. Another lawsuit filed against Combs accuses him of forcing a man to perform oral sex in Macy’s flagship store in 2008. Another plaintiff claims Combs and several others assaulted him at a 2021 party after spiking his drink, recalling seeing Combs naked above him during the attack.
The legal troubles for Sean “Diddy” Combs continue to escalate as these new lawsuits come to light, further complicating his already precarious legal situation.