Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, currently incarcerated, is anticipated to confront over 10 additional civil lawsuits in the near future, as indicated by a lawyer representing numerous claimants. Tony Buzbee made this announcement while filing a new legal action in New York on behalf of an unnamed male who alleges he was assaulted by Combs in 2015.
The lawsuit alleges that the 23-year-old accuser was performing at an event attended by Combs and was subsequently drugged and assaulted at an afterparty. Combs’ legal representatives have denied all allegations, which include claims of drugging, assault, and rape. He is also facing federal charges related to racketeering and sex trafficking, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
In a statement to the BBC, Combs’ attorneys expressed confidence in the facts and the judicial process, asserting, “In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor.”
Buzbee, based in Texas, has been instrumental in several cases against Combs over the past year, including one that also implicated Jay-Z, who has denied the allegations and requested the court to dismiss the case. Buzbee indicated plans to file more than 10 lawsuits within the next week, as a deadline approaches on March 1 in New York, marking the final day for victims of past sexual assaults to file civil lawsuits despite the expiration of the statute of limitations.
The latest lawsuit dates back to 2015, when the plaintiff had the opportunity to perform at a nightclub in the Los Angeles area, where Combs was present. According to the lawsuit, an associate of Combs informed the accuser that the rapper had taken notice of his talent and would be watching. The accuser was led to believe that a strong performance could lead to a potential deal with Bad Boy Records, the successful label founded by Combs in 1993.
After what the plaintiff believed to be an “excellent performance”, he was invited to attend an afterparty, where the VIP section contained “countless bottles of Combs’ vodka, Ciroc,” as well as “substances such as marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy”, the lawsuit states.
An associate of the music mogul handed the accuser a drink, saying it was from Combs. After drinking it, the plaintiff “quickly felt lightheaded” and realised he had been “drugged”, the lawsuit states. He then lost consciousness.
The lawsuit states that while he drifted in and out, he observed Combs and his entourage allegedly engaging in “group sexual activity” with attendees who appeared “either drugged, unconscious, or as if they were paid escorts.”
He said he woke up to being assaulted by Combs, the lawsuit states. When he tried to leave, Combs’ security intervened and the rapper threatened to derail his career chances, the lawsuit alleges.
Combs is currently facing more than 30 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct. He’s currently in a New York jail awaiting a federal criminal trial on sex trafficking and racketeering.
