Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing new charges of rape, molestation and sexual assault after a series of new lawsuits were filed Monday.
At least six lawsuits have been filed in New York federal court by two women and four men. They include allegations spanning from 1995 to 2021.
Anonymous accusers allege some of the assaults occurred at Mr. Combs’ parties, which were attended by celebrities and musical artists.
Mr Combs’ lawyers deny the allegations, saying in a statement to the BBC that he “never sexually assaulted anyone – adult or minor, man or woman”.
One of the accusers said he was 16 years old when he attended one of the parties in the Hamptons in 1998. In the lawsuit, he describes being delighted to receive an invitation to Mr Combs’ party, which has become a top A-list annual event for celebrities.
The accuser said he saw countless celebrities and music artists while walking around and came across Mr. Combs while he was on his way to the bathroom. He said he started talking to Mr Combs about breaking into the music industry when they got somewhere more private.
The accuser alleges that during their conversation, Mr. Combs suddenly ordered him to undress.
The lawsuit includes a photo of the couple together at the party with the teen’s face blurred.
According to the lawsuit, Mr. Combs said it was “a rite of passage” and “the path to becoming a star.” The rapper told the teen he could make anyone a star and that the teen had the right “look,” the lawsuit states. .
Another lawsuit filed Monday includes allegations by a woman that Mr. Combs raped her in a hotel room in 2004 when she was a 19-year-old college student.
According to the lawsuit, she met the music mogul at a photo shoot, after which he invited her and a friend to a private party at his hotel. When they arrived, the lawsuit alleges that Mr. Combs “caressed, sexually harassed and ultimately raped her” despite her repeatedly asking him to stop.
Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the accusers, said he is representing more than 100 people who plan to sue the rapper over allegations of sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation. .
Mr. Buzbee said that some of the alleged victims included children. He said the lawsuits are being brought under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which allows victims to file older claims.
“We will let the allegations in the complaint speak for themselves and will work to ensure that justice is served,” Mr. Buzbee said in a statement after filing the suit Monday.
“We expect to file more cases in the coming weeks and name Mr. Combs and others as defendants as we continue to gather evidence and prepare the case.”
The lawsuits are the latest of more than a dozen recent lawsuits against Mr. Combs, accusing the music mogul of sexual assault, battery and blackmail.
He has denied all civil and criminal claims against him.
Mr. Combs is facing federal criminal charges of fraud and sex trafficking. Last week, a judge scheduled his trial to begin on May 5, 2025.
Mr Combs was detained at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York since his arrest September 16. His lawyers have argued for his release until trial, citing “horrendous” prison conditions.
A New York federal judge denied their request for bail, saying Mr. Combs was a “serious flight risk.”
