Sean "Diddy" Combs, the music mogul already entangled in legal troubles, now confronts a staggering wave of new abuse lawsuits.
According to a report by The Daily Wire, Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee announced plans to file these lawsuits individually rather than as a class action.
The allegations span over three decades, from 1991 to 2024. Buzbee, in collaboration with California's AVA Law Group, aims to expose the alleged perpetrator and those who may have enabled such behavior.
Buzbee's firm received contact from over 3,000 individuals, suggesting the potential for even more lawsuits as the vetting process continues. The attorney plans to file these cases across multiple states within the next month.
Among the most alarming claims is an alleged incident involving a 9-year-old boy at Bad Boy Records Studio in New York City. Buzbee stated that the child was allegedly sexually abused during an audition, with promises of a record deal made to both the child and his parents.
The lawsuits are almost evenly split between male and female plaintiffs, with alleged abuse occurring at various events hosted by Combs. These range from album release parties to New Year's Eve celebrations and even auditions in major cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.
Buzbee emphasized the gravity of the situation during a news conference, stating:
We will expose the enablers who enabled this conduct behind closed doors. We will pursue this matter no matter who the evidence implicates.
These new lawsuits add to an already complicated legal situation for Combs. Prior to this announcement, at least 12 individuals had filed civil lawsuits against the rapper over the past year. Moreover, federal prosecutors have indicated that there are "dozens of victims" mentioned in the ongoing racketeering and sex trafficking case against Combs.
Combs, who is currently 54 years old, was arrested in September on federal charges. The allegations against him are severe, including claims that he "abused, threatened, and coerced women and others, and led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice."
In response to these new allegations, Combs's attorney, Erica Wolff, issued a strong denial:
As Mr. Combs' legal team has emphasized, he cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus. That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors. He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation.
The scale and nature of these allegations against Combs raise significant questions about power dynamics and accountability in the music industry. With claims spanning decades and involving minors, this case could potentially lead to broader investigations and reforms within the entertainment sector.
Furthermore, the involvement of multiple law firms and the individual filing of lawsuits suggest a coordinated effort to address systemic issues. This approach might set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, potentially encouraging more victims to come forward in other industries.
Sean "Diddy" Combs faces over 120 new abuse lawsuits, including allegations from at least 25 minors. The accusations span from 1991 to 2024, involving various types of abuse at different events. Combs's legal team vehemently denies all allegations, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle. The music industry may need to reassess its practices and implement stricter safeguards to prevent such widespread abuse allegations in the future.
