Over 100 individuals are preparing to take legal action against rap artist Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs for allegations of sexual assault, rape, and sexual exploitation, according to a US attorney. The lawyer, Tony Buzbee, stated that some of the accusers were minors who were reportedly abused as young as nine years old.
“This is a crucial matter that we are committed to vigorously pursuing,” Mr Buzbee told the press. On the other hand, Erica Wolff, a lawyer representing Mr Combs, vehemently denied the accusations, calling them “false and defamatory.”
Mr Buzbee emphasized that they will exhaust all avenues to identify all potentially responsible parties involved in the alleged abuse, as well as any individuals or entities who may have benefited from such reprehensible behavior.
The legal battle adds to Mr Combs’ recent troubles, as he was arrested last week and is facing charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. He is currently in federal custody after being denied bail, which he is appealing against, stressing his innocence.
It is revealed that Mr Buzbee is representing a total of 120 alleged victims, half of whom are men and the other half women from over 25 states in the US. Shockingly, 25 of these alleged victims were minors, marking the first time Mr Combs has been accused of sexually abusing children.
The incidents reportedly occurred between 1991 and this year, with most of them taking place in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, particularly after 2015. Many of the accusers claim they were drugged and sexually assaulted after attending parties hosted by Mr Combs at various locations, including well-known venues, private residences, and hotels.
According to Mr Buzbee, the parties were often held to celebrate an album release or for special occasions like New Year’s Eve and US Independence Day parties, with some even posing as auditions. He further noted that young individuals hoping to make it in the industry were coerced into compromising situations under the guise of advancing their careers.
Details of the accusers have shed light on the magnitude of the alleged abuse, with one man recalling being only nine years old when he was abused while pursuing a record deal at a New York recording studio. Another male accuser, who was also a minor at the time, claimed Mr Combs had promised him stardom but demanded sexual favors first.
In a distressing case, a 15-year-old girl alleged that she was flown to New York for a party hosted by Mr Combs and subsequently assaulted by him and others. Mr Buzbee highlighted a pattern of victims being offered spiked drinks before being victimized, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Mr Buzbee clarified that this legal action is not a class action lawsuit, with individual cases set to be filed for each accuser. Additionally, Andrew Van Arsdale, an attorney at the AVA law group collaborating with Mr. Buzbee’s firm, revealed that they have received numerous calls from individuals alleging similar misconduct by the music mogul, indicating a broader scope of potential victims.
