After dealing with a number of lawsuits in latest months alleging sexual assault and different crimes, Sean Combs was indicted Sept. 17 on costs of intercourse trafficking by drive, racketeering conspiracy, fraud or coercion and transporting for prostitution. Combs’ legal professional, Marc Agnifilo, referred to as it an “unjust prosecution,” and stated his consumer is “an harmless man with nothing to cover.”
In November, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura kicked off what turned a tsunami of accusations towards Combs with a lawsuit towards Combs in New York federal courtroom that included graphic claims of sexual assault, bodily abuse, and an allegation that Combs, her ex-boyfriend, would drive her to have intercourse with male intercourse employees whereas he watched.
The latest costs will not be the primary controversies that the music mogul and entrepreneur has confronted through the years. Combs has tried to rebrand himself as “Brother Love,” however he has a protracted historical past of allegations of violence, courting again to the Nineties. He’s by no means been convicted of a severe crime, however has repeatedly been accused of getting violent encounters with everybody from his exes Ventura and Gina Huynh (who alleged bodily abuse in 2019) to govt Steve Stoute and rappers like J. Cole and Drake.
Responding to Ventura’s claims, Combs’ legal professional Ben Brafman advised the New York Instances that “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the previous six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, beneath the specter of writing a harmful e-book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. Regardless of withdrawing her preliminary risk, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to submitting a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s repute and looking for a payday.” The 2 reached an “amicable” settlement for an undisclosed quantity on Nov. 17, however quite a few different lawsuits adopted.
Here’s a timeline of Combs’ controversies through the years:
CCNY Tragedy, 1991
Combs co-promoted a star basketball sport and live performance at Metropolis School of New York the place 9 individuals died and 29 individuals have been injured. The fitness center had a capability of two,730 individuals however as many as 5,000 individuals confirmed as much as the occasion, which didn’t have sufficient safety to manage the throng. After organizers closed the doorways and stopped letting attendees in, individuals outdoors broke the gymnasium’s doorways and rushed the foyer, inflicting a stampede. Then-New York Metropolis Mayor David Dinkins’ administration revealed a 67-page report referred to as “A Failure Of Duty” that cited Combs for hiring insufficient, inexperienced safety. Combs settled a slew of lawsuits from relations of attendees who died on the gymnasium, finalizing the final go well with in 2000.
Jake Robles Taking pictures, 1995
Combs and Demise Row Information co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight have been as soon as associates, however the animosity that fueled the violent rivalry between Demise Row and Unhealthy Boy began as soon as Knight’s pal (and safety guard) Jake Robles was killed outdoors an Atlanta nightclub after an argument with the Unhealthy Boy camp. The boys have been celebrating musician Jermaine Dupri’s birthday at Platinum Metropolis Membership when, as then-Fulton County Sheriff Deputy Chris Howard advised police, an argument started between members of the Unhealthy Boy and Demise Row Information entourage. Howard stated that he escorted Combs and his friends outdoors to depart the membership, and thought the coast was clear to permit Knight and his entourage to depart. However, as Howard advised the Los Angeles Instances, “[Knight’s] accomplice was nearly able to get into the limo when hastily Puffy’s guys got here from across the nook . . . and certainly one of them had a gun.” Howard stated he chased the person, who handed the gun to a different particular person, who shot Robles “two or thrice.” In line with the Instances, the particular person then jumped right into a “automobile carrying Combs’ associates.” Robles died weeks later at an Atlanta hospital. Combs has denied involvement within the taking pictures, which Knight reportedly held him answerable for.
Attacking Steve Stoute, 1998
In 1998, Combs and two different males attacked Steve Stoute after the music govt, then Nas’ supervisor, erroneously despatched MTV a model of Combs and Nas’ “Hate Me Now” music video which contained scenes depicting Combs as Jesus Christ being crucified. Combs needed the crucifixion scene deleted from the video, and was enraged that it performed on-air. Stoute says that Combs and two males barged into his New York Metropolis workplace and attacked him with a champagne bottle. He was charged with second-degree assault and felony mischief. Stoute claims that his arm and jaw was damaged within the assault, however Combs denied any bones have been damaged to MTV, additionally telling the community, “I mainly went to his workplace, and what occurred in his workplace, I actually can’t discuss however I can say this: the best way I dealt with myself in his workplace was fully incorrect and I’ve since apologized to Steve about that and I felt like, you already know, I simply disillusioned myself.” Combs was sentenced to a one-day anger administration class.
Membership New York Taking pictures, 1999
In late December 1999, Combs and his Unhealthy Boy signee Jamal “Shyne” Barrow have been partying at Membership New York when Diddy knocked a drink out of Matthew “Scar” Allen’s palms. Allen bought into an argument with Combs and somebody threw cash in Combs’ face. Allen additionally threatened to kill Shyne. Prosecutors allege that amid the fray, all three males drew weapons, and Shyne shot thrice within the crowded membership. Three individuals have been shot. Combs, who was arrested with two nine-millimeter weapons in his automobile, was charged with 4 weapons costs and for bribing his driver to say that the weapons have been his personal. A witness on the trial stated she noticed each Shyne and Combs shoot their weapons, however Combs was acquitted on all costs, whereas Shyne was discovered responsible of 5 of his eight costs and was sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Scuffle with J. Cole, 2013
In 2013, Combs was allegedly concerned in an altercation with J. Cole at a 2013 MTV VMAs afterparty. A number of sources alleged to Complicated {that a} “visibly intoxicated” Combs accosted Kendrick Lamar about his fiery verse on Large Sean’s “Management,” the place he bragged he was “King of New York.” Combs allegedly tried to pour a drink on Kendrick earlier than Cole intervened and so they bought right into a battle. The New York Publish, nevertheless, reported that the scuffle occurred after “J. Cole was saying inappropriate issues to Sean Combs and his girlfriend, Cassie.” A witness advised them that “Some pushing and shoving occurred. No punches have been thrown, but it surely was a visual disturbance.” Each males instantly denied a battle befell, although Cole later rapped, “My final scrap was with Puff Daddy, who would’ve thought it?” on 2021’s “Let Go My Hand.”
Allegedly Punches Drake, 2014
In December 2014, Combs allegedly punched Drake over the rights to the beat that turned Drake’s “0 to 100.” The Miami New-Instances reported that the 2 bought into an argument outdoors of LIV nightclub throughout DJ Khaled’s occasion for Basel Weekend. Phrases have been allegedly exchanged, and reportedly, “then blows,” with Combs telling Drake, “You’ll not disrespect me.” Combs has denied punching Drake, telling the radio present The Breakfast Membership “I didn’t do nothing to Drake, Drake is my pal.”
Fights UCLA Coach, 2015
In June of 2015, Combs bought right into a scuffle with then-UCLA assistant soccer coach Sal Alosi. TMZ reported that Combs was current throughout a UCLA observe the place Alosi chided his son (and then-UCLA participant) Justin Combs, telling him, “I don’t care in case your dad’s right here. That is UCLA. I’m going to deal with you identical to I deal with everybody else.” After the observe, Combs and his son reportedly went to Alosi’s workplace, the place an argument ensued and Combs “grabbed” Alosi. In line with one account, Combs was forcibly faraway from Alosi’s workplace after which swung a kettlebell at an intern. A rep for Combs Enterprises famous, “The assorted accounts of the occasion and costs which are being reported are wholly inaccurate. What we will say now could be that any actions taken by Mr. Combs have been solely defensive in nature to guard himself and his son.” The LA district legal professional determined to not file assault costs towards Combs.
Gina Huynh Alleges Abuse, 2019
In 2019 Combs’ ex Gina Huynh advised blogger Tasha Ok that Combs bodily abused her all through their five-year relationship. She claimed he as soon as stomped her on the abdomen, inflicting her to lose her breath, and likewise punched her at the back of the top. She advised Tasha Ok that, “He was mentally, emotionally and bodily abusing me. He would at all times evaluate me to Cassie and inform me that I’m the dangerous one, she’s a great one.” She additionally stated that “everybody” in Combs’ circle “allowed” the abuse to happen.
Cassie Recordsdata Civil Go well with In opposition to Combs, 2023
On Nov. sixteenth, Combs’ ex Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a federal lawsuit towards Combs in New York alleging years of assault. Her lawsuit comprises graphic allegations of Combs raping her in 2018, bodily abusing her, intimidating her, and making her have intercourse with male escorts whereas he watched. The lawsuit additionally alleges that Combs blew up Cudi’s automobile to discourage him from seeing Cassie romantically — via a rep, Cudi stated the accusations are true. Combs has denied the allegations and alleged that Cassie tried to blackmail him for $30 million earlier than submitting the lawsuit. The 2 settled for an undisclosed quantity on Nov. 17, along with his legal professional Ben Brafman stating that “Mr. Combs‘ resolution to settle the lawsuit doesn’t in any method undermine his flat-out denial of the claims.”
Jane Doe Sues for 1991 Rape and Revenge Porn
5 days after Combs and Cassie reached a settlement, a former Syracuse College faculty scholar sued Combs for allegedly drugging, raping, and recording her, afterwards allegedly exhibiting others the assault he filmed. The go well with, which was obtained by Rolling Stone, claims that after taking the girl to dinner in Harlem in 1991, he drove her to a recording studio the place he raped her whereas, she alleged, she was in “a bodily state the place she couldn’t independently stand or stroll.” “Days later,” the go well with reads, “a male pal revealed to her that he had considered the ‘intercourse tape’ together with different males.” A consultant for Combs denied the allegations, calling them a “cash seize” in a press release to TMZ.
Diddy Faces Third Sexual Assault Go well with in One Week
Simply earlier than New York State’s Grownup Survivors Act’s Nov. 23 deadline, a second nameless accuser filed a lawsuit towards Combs alleging sexual assault. (The legislation, handed in Could 2022, opened a window for individuals over the age of 18 on the time of alleged sexual offenses to file lawsuits towards alleged perpetrators, overriding statutes of limitations that sometimes lower off authorized choices — advocates have requested for an extension of the act’s window or the undoing of statutes of limitations altogether.) On this go well with, a lady claims Diddy and singer-songwriter Aaron Corridor took turns raping her and a pal in 1990 or 1991. She additionally alleges that days later, Diddy once more attacked her at a house the place she was staying. “He was irate and started assaulting and choking Jane Doe to the purpose that she handed out,” the grievance alleges. “Combs was looking for Jane Doe’s pal as a result of he was frightened that she would inform the woman he was with on the time what he and Corridor had executed to them.” (Reps for Corridor and Combs didn’t instantly return requests for touch upon Friday.)
Third Jane Doe Recordsdata Lawsuit
On Dec. 6, Jane Doe plaintiff filed a lawsuit towards Combs, Daddy’s Home Recordings, and Unhealthy Boy Leisure, alleging that in 2003, when she was 17, she was gang raped by Combs, former Unhealthy Boy President Harve Pierre, and one other unidentified man at Combs’ Daddy’s Home studio in New York Metropolis. The lawsuit claims that the teenager met Pierre in Detroit and was advised Combs needed to fulfill her. She was flown in on a personal jet to Teterboro, NJ, earlier than arriving in Manhattan. The three males allegedly plied the excessive schooler with “copious quantities of medicine and alcohol.” The graphic lawsuit stated that issues started to visually “blur” for her when she was assaulted by the three males within the rest room as she drifted out and in of consciousness, had issue respiration, and pled for them to cease. Allegedly, Combs assaulted her first after which watched the opposite two males whereas sitting in a chair outdoors the toilet. The lawsuit additionally claims that after Pierre completed assaulting her, she was left within the rest room alone, the place she curled right into a fetal place with vaginal ache. As soon as she “regained her bearings,” she was taken again to an airport and flown to Detroit.
On the identical day of the lawsuit, Combs made a press release claiming, “Sufficient is sufficient. For the final couple of weeks, I’ve sat silently and watched individuals attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my repute and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made towards me by people searching for a fast payday. Let me be completely clear: I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged. I’ll battle for my title, my household and for the reality.”
Tiffany Pink Writes an Open Letter Corroborating Cassie’s Allegations
On Dec. 7, Tiffany Pink — a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter who has written songs for Zendaya, Joe Jonas, Jason Derulo, and Tamar Braxton, amongst others — revealed an open letter to Combs by way of Rolling Stone alleging that Cassie’s claims have been true.
“I’m one of many associates talked about in her lawsuit, particularly from the night time of her twenty ninth birthday, as detailed within the part labeled ‘Mr. Combs Forces Ms. Ventura Into Intercourse Trafficking,’” she wrote. Pink detailed her first encounters with Combs and her working relationship with Cassie as a songwriter and detailed the social gathering the place she claimed Combs separated Cassie from her associates. When Cassie and Combs returned later within the night, Pink wrote that they appeared intoxicated and that Combs was verbally abusive to each girls, calling Pink an “emotional singing bitch,” earlier than departing.
“She later advised me you made her have a ‘Freak Off’ — which Cassie described in her lawsuit as an ‘association’ the place you’d make her carry out sexual acts with male intercourse employees — that night time,” Pink wrote. “The explanation you referred to as me ’emotional singing bitch’ was since you have been listening to new songs we wrote through the ‘Freak Off’ that had begun after you got here to get her earlier that night time. I’m disturbed to my core by this.” Pink wrote that she noticed events later the place Combs appeared verbally abusive to Cassie and stated that she, too, had skilled trauma on account of Combs’ alleged actions.
Hulu Scraps Household Actuality Present
Hulu introduced on Dec. 3 that the corporate would now not make a actuality present centered round Combs and his household. The information arrived as a number of firms severed enterprise ties with the hip-hop mogul following the accusations of sexual abuse and bodily violence.
The undertaking — which was beneath the working title Diddy+7 — was being produced by James Corden’s manufacturing firm Fulwell 73 for Hulu. The dropped actuality present was stated to take after Maintaining Up with the Karadashians, which can be produced by Fulwell 73 for the streaming service. “It’s going to profile the complete household,” a supply advised Web page Six in March. “All of them have companies — even the youngsters — and it’ll function everybody.”
Combs has stepped except for his chairman function at Revolt, liquor firm Diageo requested a choose to forestall him from showing on new promoting for DeLéon, and a complete of 23 manufacturers have now severed ties with Empower World, his on-line market for Black-owned companies, which launched in July.
Combs Settles with Diageo
Combs reached a settlement on Tuesday, Jan. 16, with the liquor large Diageo, with whom he shared joint possession of the tequila model DeLeón. Combs first sued Diageo in Could, accusing the corporate of labeling Cîroc and DéLeon as “Black manufacturers” restricted to “city” markets. He sued once more in October, asking for an injunction that will drive Diageo to adjust to how he considered his DeLéon contract. Weeks later, his ex-girlfriend Cassie filed a lawsuit alleging Combs raped her, beat her, and compelled her to have intercourse with different males whereas he watched. Two extra accusers stepped ahead with lawsuits on Thanksgiving Day. Although Combs has denied the accusations, Diageo had been pushing a choose in New York to disclaim Diddy’s request for management over an incoming $15 million advertising price range for DeLéon Tequila.
“Sean Combs and Diageo have now agreed to resolve all disputes between them. Mr. Combs has withdrawn all of his allegations about Diageo and can voluntarily dismiss his lawsuits towards Diageo with prejudice,” a joint assertion from each events obtained by Rolling Stone reads, that means the mogul can’t refile the lawsuit sooner or later. “Diageo and Mr. Combs don’t have any ongoing enterprise relationship, both with respect to Cîroc vodka or DeLeón tequila, which Diageo now solely owns.”
Combs Sued for Sexual Assault by ‘Love Album’ Producer
On Feb 27, Combs was sued by producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones for $30 million for sexual assault. The producer labored with Combs on his The Love Album and says that he was subjected to sexual misconduct at some stage in the manufacturing course of. He additionally claimed that Combs owes him $50,000 for his work on the Grammy-nominated album.
Jones’ 70-page lawsuit, filed within the Southern District of New York, alleges that whereas engaged on the album and dwelling with Combs in New York, California and Florida, Combs repeatedly groped his “anus and crotch with out consent,” and tried to “groom him into accepting a gay relationship” by exhibiting him specific movies, claiming it was “a standard observe within the music trade.” He claims that Combs would stroll round the home bare and drive him to look at him bathe, and alleges that when he advised Combs’ chief of workers Kristina Khorram about Combs’ actions, he was advised, “you already know, Sean might be Sean.”
The lawsuit implicates others, together with Combs’ son Justin, who’s accused of procuring underage ladies for events the place Combs drugged guests and secretly recorded their intercourse acts. Jones claims he was additionally drugged at a celebration and awoke “bare, dizzy, and confused” in a mattress with “two intercourse employees and Mr. Combs.” He claims that Combs incessantly displayed weapons as an intimidation tactic and threatened to “eat Mr. Jones’ face.”
After the lawsuit turned public, grownup movie actor D’Angelo “Knockout” Marquis claimed that photographs that the lawsuit purported as producer Stevie J engaged in a sexual act have been truly stills from certainly one of his movies.
Diddy’s lawyer Shawn Holley referred to as Jones a “liar” who’s “shamelessly searching for an undeserved payday.” He added, “His reckless name-dropping about occasions which are pure fiction and easily didn’t occur is nothing greater than a clear try and garner headlines.” Justin Combs’ lawyer additionally responded to the lawsuit, noting, “Justin Combs categorically denies these absurd allegations. They’re all lies! It is a a transparent instance of a determined particular person taking determined measures in hopes of a pay day. There might be authorized penalties for ALL defamatory statements made concerning the Combs household.”
Authorities Raid Sean Combs’ Properties in Los Angeles and Miami
On March 25, legislation enforcement officers carried out simultaneous raids of Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami. The investigation was led by the Division of Homeland Safety, and information footage from the Miami raid appeared to point out two males in handcuffs sitting outdoors the home.
“Earlier in the present day, Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) New York executed legislation enforcement actions as a part of an ongoing investigation, with help from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our native legislation enforcement companions,” a Homeland Safety Investigations spokesperson stated in a press release. “We are going to present additional data because it turns into accessible.”
Amidst the raids, a supply advised Rolling Stone that 4 Jane Does and one John Doe had already sat for interviews with Southern District of New York investigators for an investigation associated to an alleged intercourse trafficking and RICO case. Extra interviews had been scheduled the supply added.
Video of Combs Kicking and Dragging Cassie at a Resort Surfaces
On Could 17, a newly-surfaced March 2016 surveillance video captured Combs chasing, kicking, and dragging his then-girlfriend Cassie down a resort hallway.
The video footage was dated March 5, 2016, based on CNN, and appears to correspond to an alleged incident from a sex-trafficking lawsuit filed by Cassie (actual title Casandra Ventura) final November. Ventura famous in her lawsuit that video of the alleged assault existed, however she believed Combs had paid the resort $50,000 for the safety footage.
“The gut-wrenching video has solely additional confirmed the disturbing and predatory habits of Mr. Combs,” Ventura’s legal professional Douglas Widgor stated in a press release. “Phrases can’t categorical the braveness and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has proven in coming ahead to deliver this to mild.”
The safety footage, which has no sound, confirmed a barefoot Ventura shortly strolling out from a resort room with private objects in her hand whereas carrying an outsized hoodie. In her lawsuit, Ventura claimed she was on the resort as a result of Combs had her take part in a “freak-off” — the place she was compelled to have intercourse with male intercourse employees whereas Combs watched.
Through the freak-off, Combs “punched Ms. Ventura within the face, giving her a black eye,” the lawsuit claims, and Ventura waited till Combs was asleep to sneak out of the resort.
Combs Sued by Sixth Particular person — an Aspiring Mannequin — for Sexual Assault
In a Could 21 lawsuit, a lady named Crystal McKinney alleged that Combs lured her to his studio with the promise of serving to her profession, and sexually assaulted her within the studio’s restroom.
Within the lawsuit, McKinney, then 22, claimed she met Diddy at a dinner at Cipriani Downtown throughout Males’s Vogue Week after a male designer fastidiously crafted her look to please Combs, after which ordered her to sit down immediately throughout from Combs on the desk.
“As soon as seated, Combs made a really public show of approaching to plaintiff in a sexually suggestive method which continued all through the dinner,” the filings acknowledged. “All through their interactions, Combs was flirtatious, bordering on leering, as he leaned throughout the desk in the direction of her. Combs additionally plied Plaintiff with alcohol all through the dinner as he repeatedly refilled her glass with wine.”
Within the submitting, McKinney stated the assault made her “bodily sick” and that she handed out a short while later. She awoke “in shock to search out herself in a taxicab heading again to the designer’s house,” the paperwork learn. “Because of the traumatic occasions,” the submitting acknowledged, “plaintiff saved the unwashed clothes from that night time in her closet the place they continue to be in a plastic wrap.”
The lawsuit alleges that Combs “shoved her head all the way down to his crotch earlier than commanding her to ‘suck it.’” McKinney refused, however “Combs pushed her head down onto his phallus and compelled her to carry out oral intercourse on him,” the lawsuit learn.
Combs Accused of Drugging, Assaulting School Scholar in Seventh Lawsuit
A girl named April Lampos alleged in a brand new lawsuit that the hip-hop mogul sexually assaulted her 4 instances between 1995 and the early 2000s, based on courtroom paperwork filed on Could 23.
April Lampros claimed she met Combs in early 1994 whereas she was a university scholar at New York’s Vogue Institute of Know-how, and that he “love-bombed her” earlier than his makes an attempt to woo her “manifested into an aggressive, coercive, and abusive relationship based mostly on intercourse,” based on the lawsuit.
As a part of her submitting, Lampros included a photograph of herself with Combs, hanging out at his house in Florida, and a handwritten Valentine’s Day card, signed “Puffy.”
Lampros stated she met up with him at a downtown New York bar in 1995. Though Lampros stated she didn’t drink, she finally “succumbed to stress” as a consequence of Combs’ “delusional and violent outbursts.” Lampros claims Combs compelled himself on her. “Ms. Lampros was being raped by Mr. Combs, and he or she quickly handed out,” the lawsuit claims.
Combs allegedly assaulted Lampros a second time in a parking storage close to his Manhattan house, bodily forcing her to carry out oral intercourse, based on the lawsuit. When Lampros tried to distance herself from Combs, he allegedly tried to win her again with “presents and empty guarantees,” earlier than switching to a “mobster persona” and “turned indignant, threatening, and forceful.”
Greater than 20 years later, in 2023, Lampros claims an unidentified man approached a person Lampros was courting and stated he had seen a sexual video of Lampros and Combs in 1997. Lampros “was advised that Mr. Combs apparently recorded them having intercourse with out her figuring out and confirmed it to a number of individuals,” the lawsuit claims.
Rolling Stone Publishes Its Six-Month Investigation into Sean Combs
Shortly after R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed her intercourse trafficking lawsuit towards Sean “Diddy” Combs final November, Rolling Stone launched a wide-ranging, six-month investigation into the rapper, Unhealthy Boy file mogul and billionaire businessman. Printed Could 28, Unhealthy Boy for Life interviewed greater than 50 individuals, with outreach to lots of of individuals stretching again to Combs’ days as a scholar at Howard College. The article revealed a beforehand unreported allegation of violence towards a lady on campus within the late Eighties.
One classmate tells Rolling Stone that Combs confirmed up outdoors their dorm one night time and started screaming for his girlfriend in a “belligerent” method to come back outdoors, earlier than allegedly beating her. “He screamed and hollered and acted a stone idiot till she got here downstairs,” says one other scholar who witnessed the beating. She says Combs used what seemed to be a belt to strike the younger lady “all over.” The witness says the girl was clearly terrorized: “She was making an attempt to defend herself a little bit bit. She was crying. And we have been telling him, ‘Get off of her.’ We have been screaming for her.” A 3rd supply additionally recalled the alleged assault to Rolling Stone. (The lady on the middle of the alleged assault declined to talk with Rolling Stone.)
A number of individuals described Combs as a serial predator who used his fame, fortune, trade gatekeeper standing and repute as a dapper, fun-loving dandy to cover a risky mood and egocentric scheming carried out behind the scenes for many years. Combs wielded his rising energy to bend individuals to his will, sources declare, as soon as sending staffers to win again girlfriend Jennifer Lopez by tenting outdoors MTV’s TRL studios with indicators. After his 2001 acquittal for a nightclub taking pictures, Combs allegedly sexually harassed a enterprise affiliate by making an attempt to solicit intercourse from the girl via her boss.
Combs’ legal professional didn’t reply to the particular allegations made by sources who spoke with Rolling Stone. “Mr. Combs can’t touch upon settled litigation, won’t touch upon pending litigation, and can’t handle each allegation picked up by the press from any supply, irrespective of how unreliable,” legal professional Jonathan Davis stated in an emailed assertion. “We’re conscious that the right authorities are conducting a radical investigation and subsequently trust any necessary points might be addressed within the correct discussion board, the place the foundations distinguish information from fiction.”
Joi Dickerson-Neal, Crystal McKinney and a Jane Doe from Detroit additionally made their first public statements after they sued Combs for sexual assault. “I knew I needed to come ahead after listening to of Cassie’s go well with,” Dickerson-Neal tells Rolling Stone. “It isn’t about cash. It’s about ensuring the world sees that this man who rose to the extent of an ‘icon’ is definitely sick and has left so many victims in [the wake of his] unpunished disgusting habits for years.”
For the complete story, learn Rolling Stone‘s full function Unhealthy Boy for Life.
Danity Kane’s Daybreak Richard Sues Combs for Sexual Abuse
Former Danity Kane member Daybreak Richard sued Combs on September 10, alleging the music mogul groped her on quite a few events, was bodily violent with girls, trapped her inside a locked automobile for 2 hours as a type of punishment, and threatened her life.
Richard, who was additionally within the group Diddy-Soiled Cash, filed go well with within the Southern District of New York. Richard claimed that from the time she met Combs whereas auditioning for Making The Band in 2004 till her music profession with Combs abruptly led to 2012, she claimed Combs “manipulated her with mantras that submission to his wicked calls for was vital for profession development, instilling in her the assumption that such abuse and exploitation have been required for feminine artists to achieve the music trade.”
Her submitting detailed dozens of disturbing encounters that she noticed whereas in Combs’ orbit, together with drug-fueled events with younger girls who appeared “torpid or handed out” whereas “Combs and his associates carried out sexual acts on them.” Richard claimed that she believed Combs invited her to those events as a “take a look at,” earlier than he started to barge into her altering room and “grope” her “naked buttocks” and “tried to the touch her breasts” between 2009 and 2011. The extra Richard resisted Combs’ sexual advances, she claimed, the extra he retaliated towards her by taking her off songs and turning off her microphone throughout performances.
Richard’s lawsuit additionally supported allegations that Ventura leveled towards Combs in her lawsuit. Richard claimed she noticed Combs choke and strangle Ventura, and as soon as noticed him throw a scalding scorching pan of eggs at Ventura earlier than dragging her up the steps of his Los Angeles house. When Richard tried to intervene and encourage Ventura to depart the connection, Combs would allegedly threaten that he makes “n—– go lacking” and “I finish individuals.”
Combs is Arrested and Indicted on Intercourse Trafficking, Racketeering Prices
Combs was arrested at a New York resort and indicted Sept. 17 on costs of racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking by drive, fraud or coercion and transporting for prostitution, based on courtroom information. “For many years, Sean Combs…abused, threatened and coerced girls and others round him to meet his sexual needs, defend his repute and conceal his conduct,” the Division of Justice indictment learn. “To take action, Combs relied on the workers, sources and the affect of his multi-faceted enterprise empire that he led and managed.” (Combs’ legal professional stated he was an “harmless man,” and the sufferer of an “unjust prosecution.”)
The indictment alleges that Combs “used drive, threats of drive and coercion, to trigger victims to have interaction in prolonged intercourse acts with male business intercourse employees that Combs known as, amongst different issues, ‘Freak Offs.’” Throughout these “elaborate and produced intercourse performances,” the indictment allges that Combs “organized, directed, and masturbated.” The indictment claims that authorities seized “numerous Freak Off provides, together with narcotics and greater than 1,000 bottles of child oil and lubricant” from Combs’ properties in Miami and Los Angeles.
Combs has pleaded not responsible to the fees. He’s being held with out bail in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Middle.
Combs Accused of Bounding and Raping Lady, Promoting Assault Movie ‘as Pornography,’ Lawsuit Says
Thalia Graves turned the eleventh particular person to sue Combs on Sept. 24, claiming the embattled music govt drugged her, sure her wrists and raped her at his recording studio in 2001.
Graves claimed that Combs’ bodyguard Joseph Sherman additionally sexually assaulted her through the encounter contained in the lounge space of Daddy’s Home. The boys allegedly filmed the assault, based on her lawsuit, and confirmed it to a few of Combs’ associates, together with Graves’ then-boyfriend who labored as an govt at Unhealthy Boy.
It was solely in November 2023 that Graves discovered of the secretly recorded video from her former boyfriend who “disclosed that Combs and Sherman had a sample and observe of non-consensually recording girls participating in sexual acts and making these movies accessible to the general public, together with by promoting tapes as pornography,” the lawsuit claimed.
Graves suffers from PTSD, extreme despair, “suicidal ideation and intrusive ideas, and has tried to finish her life,” her lawsuit stated. Her expertise has left her in “fixed worry.” She sued Combs, Sherman and eight of Combs’ firms beneath the New York Metropolis’s Gender-Motivated Violence Safety Act, in addition to a state civil rights legislation for the alleged secret recording and distribution of the intercourse tape.
Florida Mannequin Sues Combs for ‘Sexual Assault, Drugging Her and Monitoring Her Location’
A Florida entrepreneur and mannequin, who’s suing beneath a Jane Doe pseudonym, turned the twelfth particular person to accuse Combs of sexual assault, claiming he founder flew her to his numerous properties and would “constantly stress” her to deliver different women and men into the bed room regardless of her protests.
The lady claimed that she first met Combs abroad whereas touring in fall of 2020, which led to an ongoing relationship that led to July 2024. Over the course of 4 years, the girl stated that Combs’ and his associates would e-book her journey to and from the mogul’s properties in Los Angeles, Miami, New York and different cities, the workers allegedly utilizing “coercive and harassing language to compel her to conform.” Every go to, Combs “would make her ‘carry out a present’ for him and would ply her with alcohol and substances till she handed out—she would get up with bruising and accidents however with no recollection of how she sustained her accidents,” the lawsuit claimed.
It was after being compelled to ingest ketamine in summer season 2022 that the girl claimed that she found she was pregnant. Combs’ then-partner rapper Yung Miami — actual title Caresha Brownlee — allegedly “harassed” and pressured the girl to have an abortion. (Rolling Stone has reached out to Brownlee for remark.) The lady says she miscarried and didn’t communicate to Combs for 3 months.
The lady stated she grew afraid of Combs, who allegedly tracked her location, recorded their sexual encounters and insisted on making the girl financially depending on him. “Up to now, Combs continues to contact the Jane Doe in makes an attempt to manage her actions, autonomy and would limit her speech via harassment, intimidation, and different techniques,” her lawsuit claimed.
Combs Accused of Sexually Abusing 120 Folks, Together with 25 Minors
On Oct. 1, a lawyer in Texas introduced that 120 individuals had accused Combs of sexual abuse and claimed that 25 of his new shoppers have been minors on the time of the alleged abuse.
“Our youngest sufferer on the time of the prevalence was 9 years previous. We now have a person who was 14 years previous. We now have one who was 15,” stated legal professional Tony Buzbee throughout a press convention. He claimed that the youngest alleged sufferer met with the music mogul at his Unhealthy Boy workplaces in Manhattan for an audition when the 9-year-old baby was “making an attempt to land a file deal.” Buzbee claimed that the kid was sexually abused by Combs and several other different individuals on the studio.
The legal professional stated that the youngest alleged victims match a sample. “All have been looking for both TV or some type of music profession with guarantees of, you already know, ‘We’re going to make you a star,’” Buzbee acknowledged. “As an alternative, mainly, [Combs] did issues to them in order that they don’t wish to have something to do with the leisure trade ever once more.”
Buzbee stated that his group of 120 shoppers contains 60 males and 60 girls.
