Abuse, threats, sex parties: Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing serious allegations. And there are more and more. Before the trial begins, the singer’s prominent environment is also in focus.
US rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs (54) has been in custody for almost two weeks. Instead of the magnificent villas in Florida and California, it is now a cell in the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He was handcuffed in a New York luxury hotel in mid-September. The arrest was followed by charges of sex trafficking, organized crime and other offenses. And that’s not all. The flood of allegations is increasing.
Will there be another wave of lawsuits?
A Florida woman filed a civil lawsuit in New York on Friday against the musician alleging sexual abuse. For several years, Combs put her under pressure and forced her to take non-consensual actions, US media quoted from the lawsuit. Accordingly, she was drugged and suffered injuries, including a bite wound. Sexual encounters were also filmed without her consent.
It was the second lawsuit against Combs in just a few days. A woman in New York had previously made allegations against the rapper and one of his employees. They include rape, forced oral sex and the creation of video footage of the brutal incident, which Combs later released and sold as pornography. The then 25-year-old woman alleges in the lawsuit that she was lured to Combs’ studio in 2001 under a pretext. There she lost consciousness after drinking a drink that was probably laced with drugs. She was tied up and then brutally abused by both men.
A legal team in Houston (US state of Texas) is raising the prospect of further lawsuits. The law firm said they would represent more than 50 women and men. “I expect that many more victims will come forward,” said a statement from lawyer Tony Buzbee, which was available to the German Press Agency. Her clients have “heartbreaking” stories that they experienced in hotels, private homes and also at Combs’ infamous “Freak Off” parties. They would announce more details shortly.
The rapper’s lawyers initially did not respond to the new lawsuits when asked by the German Press Agency. In the criminal indictment in New York, Combs had pleaded not guilty. According to his lawyer’s earlier statements, sexual acts were consensual.
Serious allegations against Combs
The federal prosecutors’ indictment against the rapper shows that Combs is said to have abused, threatened and coerced women into fulfilling his sexual desires for years. He ran a “criminal enterprise” with helpers. He is said to have used pressure and intimidation to silence alleged victims. They were also drugged. The indictment also describes day-long sex orgies, described by Combs as “freak offs,” in which women were encouraged to have sex with male prostitutes. Combs gave instructions and often filmed the actions.
Celebrities from Combs’ environment in focus
Hip-hop star Combs has surrounded himself with celebrity friends for decades. He has built careers, promoted young musicians like Usher and Justin Bieber and created an empire worth millions with his label Bad Boy Records. Big names from show business came to his lavish parties. After the indictment against Combs, some shocking party photos are now appearing in the tabloid press. Some show naked women lying on a buffet, apparently for decoration, surrounded by fruit and sweets.
Other party photos from previous years are said to show Combs with celebrities such as Bruce Willis, Will Smith, Owen Wilson and Leonardo DiCaprio. The music mogul also partied with Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton, Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Justin Bieber and Jay-Z, US magazine Forbes reported. His “White Parties” were famous, where the guests were dressed in white.
Could celebrities be subpoenaed to testify in a case against Combs? There is no trial date yet, but there is already speculation. If he were a star who took part in one of Combs’ freak-offs, he would be very nervous right now, said California lawyer Neama Rahmani in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. At best, someone could be called as a witness, at worst, as a co-defendant, the lawyer continued.
Rapper 50 Cent calls allegations against Combs “disturbing”
Rapper 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, sharply criticizes Combs. As a producer of a documentary series, the Grammy award winner (“In Da Club”) wants to shed light on the “disturbing” allegations against his colleague. The streaming service Netflix is on board. This is a complex story that will span decades, far beyond the headlines, said a joint statement from director Alexandria Stapleton and 50 Cent. On Platform X, he distanced himself from Combs. 50 Cent emphasized that he never went to his parties. Nobody would have believed him when he told me about the “bizarre crap” – “but I bet you believe me now!”
The deep fall
Last September, Combs was widely celebrated at the MTV Video Music Awards. He received the “Global Icon Award” for his career and his influence on the music world. He rapped at the show in front of a cheering audience, with a sample of his hits such as “I’ll Be Missing You” and “Bad Boy For Life”. But a few weeks later, his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie, filed a civil lawsuit alleging rape, abuse and assault. However, there was no trial at that time. They agreed on a settlement. Combs had previously denied the allegations through his attorney.
But in May, a video emerged showing shocking scenes of violence in a hotel hallway. In the surveillance video from 2016, he can be seen hitting his then-girlfriend Cassie, throwing her to the ground, kicking her multiple times and dragging her across the floor. “My behavior in the video is inexcusable,” Combs said a little later in his recording on Instagram. This was one of the “darkest” times in his life. He was at an absolute low point, but after that he sought help and went to therapy and rehab.
When does the process start?
A date has not yet been set. According to New York prosecutor Damian Williams, dozens of witnesses and victims were interviewed and videos and other evidence were seized. But the investigation is still ongoing. Meanwhile, Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo said his client wanted to prove his innocence in court. The rapper is eager to take the stand and tell his story, Agnifilo said in an interview with TMZ.com.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
