NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing a series of new lawsuits lodged on Monday, with accusations that include the rape of women, the sexual assault of men, and the molestation of a 16-year-old boy. This marks the first time that Combs has been sued by someone alleging abuse during their childhood.
At least six lawsuits were filed in federal court in Manhattan, further building on an expanding collection of legal claims against the hip-hop mogul, all of which he has vehemently denied. The lawsuits are filed anonymously to shield the identities of the plaintiffs—including two women labeled as Jane Does and four men known as John Does.
The allegations in the lawsuits extend back to the mid-1990s and describe incidents occurring at various high-profile events, including exclusive white parties hosted by Combs in the upscale Hamptons, a gathering in Brooklyn to celebrate the late rapper Biggie Smalls, and even in a storeroom at Macy’s flagship location in Manhattan. Many accusers claim that Combs leveraged his fame and the prospect of entertainment careers to lure victims into extravagant parties or drug-fueled scenarios where he subsequently assaulted them. Some have stated that he threatened their lives or subjected them to violence to maintain control.
Lawyers representing the plaintiffs have indicated that these individuals are part of a larger group of over 100 accusers who are currently taking legal actions against Combs following his federal sex trafficking arrest on September 16. During a press conference on October 1, attorney Tony Buzbee shared information about this planned litigation and established a hotline for other potential accusers to reach out.
In defense of the allegations, Combs’ legal team has criticized these lawsuits as “clear attempts to garner publicity,” asserting confidence in their client’s innocence. They believe that when the facts are presented in court, the truth—stating that Mr. Combs has never assaulted anyone, regardless of their age or gender—will be evident.
Currently 54 years old, Combs has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges that involve claims of coercion and abuse against women for years, allegedly facilitated by a network of associates. The accusations include heinous acts of blackmail, violence, kidnapping, and arson. He remains at a Brooklyn federal jail, having been denied bail twice due to concerns over his potential danger to the community, as determined by two judges. Recently, an appeals court judge also declined to grant his immediate release as a panel deliberates over his bail plea.
The recently filed lawsuits include serious claims of rape and drugging to incapacitate victims. One of the John Does stated that he was allegedly sexually assaulted by Combs when he was just 16 during a white party in 1998. According to the man—now residing in North Carolina—Combs told him he had “the look” of a star and pressured him into inappropriate situations under the guise of a rite of passage. He recounted that fear and a sense of power imbalance led him to comply, only to realize later the incident constituted sexual assault.
Another lawsuit recounts a Jane Doe’s allegation that Combs raped her in a locked hotel room in 2004 during a party, where he allegedly provided drugs to her and a friend, culminating in threats to their lives if they didn’t comply with his demands. Additionally, a separate lawsuit describes an attack in 1995 when Combs supposedly raped another woman in a bathroom during a party for Biggie Smalls’ music video, “One More Chance.” The woman claimed he forcibly restrained her and warned her not to share what happened.
Further John Doe lawsuits allege various acts of sexual misconduct, including an incident where a security guard was assaulted at a 2006 white party after consuming a drugged drink. Another account involves a man forced to perform oral sex on Combs in a Macy’s stockroom in 2008, while yet another accuser recalled being assaulted at a party in October 2021, stating he felt incapacitated by a possible drugged beverage.
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Journalists Andrew Dalton and Jonathan Landrum Jr. from the Associated Press contributed to this report. ___
This report has been corrected to indicate that the party celebrating Biggie Smalls took place in 1995, not 2005, per a lawsuit filed on Monday.
