Sean “Diddy” Combs, a rapper, producer, and businessman, was dealing with a number of legal problems even prior to police raids on his residences.
He has been the target of five different civil lawsuits since November alleging various forms of sexual assault and other criminal acts. All those cases are still pending, but one has already been resolved.
A number of the claims claim that misbehavior was caught on camera. Furthermore, a few were brought under the New York Adult Survivors Act, which gave adult victims, regardless of statutes of limitations, a one-year opportunity to sue their accused abusers and the organizations that supported them. The deadline for this year was November 24, 2023.
According to a senior federal law enforcement official briefed on the inquiry, authorities searched Diddy’s houses on Monday because he is the subject of a federal investigation conducted by a Department of Homeland Security unit that deals with human trafficking charges. According to a second law enforcement source involved with Monday’s searches, the probe is based on many of the same claims of sexual assault made in the civil complaints.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Aaron Dyer, the music mogul’s lawyer, described the searches as a “gross overuse of military-level force.”
“This unprecedented ambush is nothing more than a witch hunt based on baseless accusations made in civil lawsuits, coupled with an advanced, coordinated media presence that leads to an early rush to judgment of Mr. Combs,” the speaker declared. None of these claims have resulted in a finding of criminal or civil responsibility. Mr. Combs is innocent, and he will keep fighting to clear his name every day.
Here’s a closer look at each complaint, the claims made in them, and Diddy’s response.
Combs v. Ventura
Briefly stated, on November 16, 2023, Casandra Ventura, the R&B singer formerly known as Cassie, filed a federal complaint in the Southern District of New York against Diddy and the businesses Bad Boy Records, Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises, Epic Records, and Doe Corps. 1-10.
The accusations: Ventura claimed Diddy had sexually assaulted her and mistreated her violently for years. He is expressly charged in the case with human trafficking, sex trafficking, sexual assault and battery, violence motivated by gender, sexual harassment, discrimination against gender, and creating a hostile work environment.
Diddy’s reply: Through Diddy’s publicist, attorney Ben Brafman sent CNN a statement that read, “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.”
The statement went on, “Ms. Ventura has been pressuring Mr. Combs to pay her $30 million for the past six months, threatening to write a book about their connection if he doesn’t comply. This has been categorically rejected as obvious blackmail. After taking back her earlier threat, Ms. Ventura has now turned to bringing a lawsuit full of ludicrous and unsubstantiated falsehoods in an attempt to damage Mr. Combs’ name and be paid.
As of right now: Both parties have stated that the lawsuit was settled “amicably” a day later. “A decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” Brafman said.
Combs v. Dickerson-Neal in
The fundamentals: On November 23, Joi Dickerson-Neal filed a complaint against Diddy, Combs Enterprises LLC, Bad Boy Entertainment, doing business as Bad Boy Records, and the New York Supreme Court.
The claims: In 1991, Dickerson-Neal, a student at Syracuse University who had collaborated with Combs on a music video, alleged that Diddy had drugged and sexually molested her. In addition, she claimed that he had recorded the assault and shared it with others, calling her the victim of “revenge porn.”
In response, a representative for Diddy declared that the claims are “made up and not credible” and that the action is “purely a money grab.”
The spokeswoman stated, “This last-minute lawsuit is an example of how a well-intentioned law can be turned on its head.” “Mr. Combs did not physically harm her, and she accuses businesses that never existed.”
As things stand, the defendants have until April 12 to respond.
Combs v. Gardner
The fundamentals: Liza Gardner filed lawsuits against Diddy, Aaron Hall, MCA Inc., MCA Music Entertainment Group, Geffen Records, Universal Music Group NV, John and Jane Does 1-10, and ABC Corps. 1-10 in the New York Supreme Court on November 23 and March 12, respectively.
The claims: In 1990, at the age of sixteen, Gardner made accusations of abuse and sexual assault against Combs and Aaron Hall, a member of the R&B group Guy.
She claimed that Diddy coerced her into having sex after they gave her drunk beverages, and Hall pushed her down and coerced her into having intercourse. According to the lawsuit, Diddy choked her until she passed out the following day.
Diddy’s response: Diddy refuted the allegations in a December Instagram post.
“It’s time to stop.” I have been sitting quietly for the past few weeks, observing attempts to discredit me, my heritage, and my character,” he remarked. I’ve been the target of horrifying accusations from people hoping to get rich quick. To be crystal clear, I did not do any of the horrible things that are being said. I’ll stand up for the truth, my family, and my name.
CNN has contacted Hall to request a statement. He hasn’t addressed the accusations in public yet.
As of right now, the defendants have not yet been required to respond to the complaint.
Combs v. Jane Doe
The fundamentals: On December 6, a lady going by the name Jane Doe filed a federal complaint against Diddy, Harve Pierre, an unidentified third attacker, Daddy’s House Recordings Inc., and Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings Inc. in the Southern District of New York. On March 29, Doe submitted an updated complaint.
The allegations: In 2003, while Doe was a 17-year-old high school student, she accused Diddy, Pierre, and a third party of engaging in sex trafficking and gang rape.
Diddy’s response: Diddy stated in court documents that he has “lost the ability to defend himself fully and fairly” as a result of the woman’s “decision to wait more than two decades to file her complaint,” and that the lawsuit ought to be dismissed. Diddy formally disputed the accusations. Additionally, he contended that “witness identification, availability, and recollections are likely compromised due to the substantial passage of time” and that the evidence may currently be “unavailable, lost, or compromised.”
In a 15-page statement, Pierre, the former president of Bad Boy Records, requested that the court reject the complaint. “Never participated in the Plaintiff’s sexual assault nor did he ever witness anyone else sexually assaulting the Plaintiff,” he declared.
Additionally, motions to dismiss the action have been filed by Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings Inc. and Daddy’s House Recordings Inc.
As things stand: Defendants have not yet been required to respond to the new complaint.
Combs v. Little Rod
The fundamentals: On February 26, Rodney Jones, also known as Lil Rod, filed a federal complaint against Diddy and many other defendants in the Southern District of New York. Jones is a music producer and filmmaker. Proposed amended complaints were filed on March 25 and March 27, and the suit was refiled on March 4.
The accusations: Diddy is particularly accused in the lawsuit of sexual assault, racketeering, and sex trafficking in 2022 and 2023 while Jones was a staff member on Diddy’s most recent record, “Love.” Jones further claims that Combs failed to pay him for his job making music.
In addition, the lawsuit names and describes a number of other celebrities in addition to accusing Cuba Gooding Jr. of sexual assault.
Reaction from Diddy: Diddy’s lawyer refuted the accusations and labeled Jones’ statements as “lies.”
“His careless name-dropping about things that are purely made up and never happened is just an obvious ploy to make headlines. Attorney Shawn Holley stated, “We have overwhelming, irrefutable proof that his claims are total lies.”
CNN’s request for comment from Gooding’s lawyer has not received a response.
As things now stand: The deadline to address the accusations has not yet passed, and several of the defendants have filed to have the case dismissed.
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