Over 100 to Sue Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs for Sexual Assault
More than 100 individuals, including dozens of children, have come forward claiming they were victims of rape, sexual assault, and exploitation by US rap star Sean “Diddy” Combs. On October 1, their lawyer announced plans to sue the artist.
This legal action adds further pressure on Combs, a figure who once dominated American pop culture but has long faced accusations of violence against women. He is currently in jail on criminal charges.
“The biggest secret in the entertainment industry, which wasn’t really a secret, has finally been revealed to the world,” said Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, announcing that 120 individuals, including 25 minors, are preparing to take civil action.
“The wall of silence has been broken, and victims are coming forward.”
Combs was indicted last month on three criminal counts, with allegations that he sexually abused women and coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties through threats and violence.
The accusations against the Grammy Award-winner have been building since last year. Singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, alleged that Combs subjected her to over a decade of coercion through physical force and drugs, as well as a rape in 2018.
Since then, a series of similar lawsuits have painted Combs as a violent individual who used his celebrity status to prey on women.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and remains in jail awaiting trial.
At a press conference in Houston, Buzbee said over 3,000 people had come forward with allegations against Combs, urging any additional victims to speak out.
He explained that much of the alleged abuse by Combs and his associates followed a specific pattern.
“In about 90 percent of the cases, these individuals were drugged,” Buzbee told reporters.
“One woman, who was 22 at the time of her assault, recounted that when you were handed a drink—which we now know was laced with drugs—if you refused, you were kicked out of the party.”
Buzbee also highlighted instances of repeated rapes of teenagers, allegedly carried out by Combs and his associates.
He noted that the abuse of minors often occurred with promises of fame and success in the music industry.