U.S. rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs has been named in seven new sexual abuse lawsuits.
One suit alleges Combs and an unnamed male celebrity raped a 13-year-old girl, in front of an unnamed female celebrity.
Combs has been held in a New York jail since he was arrested on sex trafficking charges last month. The 54-year-old denies any wrongdoing.
His lawyers are now seeking to block alleged victims from making public statements about Combs, arguing it could interfere with his right to a fair trial.
Background
Combs, also known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puffy, and Diddy, is a rapper and producer. He founded Bad Boy Records in 1993.
Police allegedly seized evidence of illicit activities after raids on Combs’ LA and Miami homes in March.
He was arrested in New York on September 18, and charged with sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He’s facing up to life in prison.
Authorities allege the 54-year-old used his “business empire” to cover up decades of abuse against women “to fulfil his sexual desires” and “protect his reputation”.
In addition to these criminal charges, Combs is being sued by dozens of alleged victims across more than 20 lawsuits.
The suits accuse him of a range of sexual misconduct and other illegal activity, which he has denied.
These legal proceedings are civil cases— non-criminal disputes between two private parties. Plaintiffs typically seek monetary damages.
Diddy’s new lawsuits
This week, Combs was named in seven new lawsuits. The proceedings were filed across Federal and State courts.
The anonymous plaintiffs – four men and three women – allege abuse by Combs in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, between 2000 and 2022.
The plaintiffs allege that Combs (or one of his associates) drugged them before he assaulted or raped them. It brings the total number of lawsuits against Combs to at least 24.
One male plaintiff said he was a 17-year-old aspiring musician when he was assaulted by Combs at a party, according to reports from several U.S. media outlets.
Another plaintiff, a celebrity personal trainer, claims Combs forced him into “sexual acts with both men and women,” including with an unnamed celebrity.
An anonymous woman alleges she was drugged and raped by Combs and an unnamed male celebrity when she was 13 years old in 2000.
The alleged incident took place at an afterparty for the MTV Video Music Awards. The plaintiff claims an unnamed female celebrity watched the assault.
More lawsuits
Earlier this month Texas lawyer Tony Buzbee came forward claiming 3,200 people have approached his law firm with allegations related to Combs.
During a press conference, Buzbee said one of the victims was nine-years-old when the alleged misconduct occurred.
This week, Buzbee said the latest round of lawsuits against Combs detailed “egregious” (shockingly bad) conduct, and that his team would “work to see that justice is done.”
Buzbee’s firm also filed six cases against Combs last week, “alleging aggravated sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation” spanning 1995-2021.
The lawyer said one person “was a minor at the time of the alleged occurrences.”
In a statement on Monday, Buzbee suggested more legal proceedings will be filed against Combs. He added that others who are “referenced in the case filings” could also be named.
“We expect to be filing cases weekly naming Mr. Combs and others as defendants as we continue to gather evidence and prepare the filings,” he said.
Defence
Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo said his client is innocent, and will “fight this until the end.”
Agnifilo has requested a ‘gag order’ on Combs’ accusers and their lawyers to protect Combs’ right to a fair trial.
The order would protect certain details about the case from being made public, and restrict Combs’ alleged victims from making statements to the media.
The rapper is expected to remain in police custody until his criminal trial, which is scheduled for May 2025.
