In a case filed in New York, the star has been accused of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes through the use of firearms and threats of violence. The same Los Angeles mansion that hosted his birthday party was raided by police in March. There, officers seized supplies that they say were intended for use in orgies known as "freak offs", including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil. Mr Combs has denied all the charges, entering a not guilty plea on Tuesday, 17 September. The court case comes after a year in which the musician has faced lawsuits from a number of women. Here is how the allegations against Mr Combs have stacked up.
Cassie Ventura (ex girlfriend) says in a lawsuit that Combs subjected her to years of abuse, including beatings and rape. The R&B singer whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, signed to Combs’ label in 2005, and the two were on-again-off-again romantic partners for more than a decade starting in 2007. The lawsuit filed in federal court says Combs was “prone to uncontrollable rage” and subjected her to “savage” beatings. It says he plied her with drugs, forced her to have sex with other men, and raped her in her home as she was trying to end the relationship in 2018. Combs, through his attorney, “vehemently denies” the accusations. With staggering speed, Ventura’s lawsuit is settled the day after it is filed. The terms of the agreement are kept confidential. “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably,” Combs says in a statement. “I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”
Combs makes multiple calls that he recorded to another victim of his sexual abuse, according to a later court filing from prosecutors, asking for her support and “friendship” and attempting to convince her that “she had willingly engaged in acts constituting sexual abuse.”Prosecutors say the calls came at the beginning of months of attempts to coerce and bribe potential witnesses against him as allegations emerged.
Two more women accuse Combs of sexual abuse in lawsuits filed on the eve of the expiration of the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law permitting victims of sexual abuse a one-year window to file civil action regardless of the statute of limitations. The lawsuits, filed by Joi Dickerson and another woman who was not named, allege acts of sexual assault, beatings and forced drugging in the early 1990s by Combs, then a talent director, party promoter and rising figure in New York City’s hip-hop community. Combs’ attorneys call the allegations false.
A woman alleges in another lawsuit that in 2003 when she was 17, Combs and two other men raped her. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan says she was living in a Detroit suburb and was flown to a New York studio, where she was given drugs and alcohol that made her incapable of consenting to sex, and the men took turns raping her.The same day, Combs posts a statement on Instagram broadly denying all the allegations in the mounting series of lawsuits. “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged,” the post says. “I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
Music producer Rodney Jones Jr, who produced nine tracks on 2023's The Love Album, sued Mr Combs in February 2024, accusing the star of making unwanted sexual contact and forcing him to hire prostitutes and participate in sex acts with them.In court papers filed in New York, Mr Jones also claimed that Mr Combs tried to "groom" him into having sex with another man, telling him it was "a normal practice in the music industry".Mr Combs' lawyer, Shawn Holley, called Mr Jones "nothing more than a liar" and described his claims as "pure fiction" that could be discredited by "overwhelming, indisputable proof".
CCTV footage emerged showing Mr Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.The pictures, broadcast by CNN, showed a man pushing Ms Ventura to the floor and kicking her while she was on the ground. He later attempted to drag her by her shirt and throw an object at her.A day later, Mr Combs apologised, saying: "I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now."Ms Ventura later posted a statement highlighting the lifelong impact of domestic violence. "It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become," she wrote.
1. rise to fame: tHE BAD BOY ERA (1990s)
Sean Combs began his music career at Uptown Records before founding Bad Boy Records in 1993. He played a pivotal role in launching the careers of artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Faith Evans. The label's success was marked by hits like B.I.G.'s Ready to Die (1994) and Combs' own No Way Out (1997), which featured the Grammy-winning tribute "I'll Be Missing You."
2. feud and tragedy: THE EAST COAST WEST COAST RIVALRY
The mid-1990s saw a notorious feud between East Coast and West Coast hip-hop artists, with Combs and B.I.G. on one side and Tupac Shakur and Suge Knight on the other. This rivalry culminated in the murders of Tupac in 1996 and B.I.G. in 1997. While Combs denied involvement, a 2009 Los Angeles Times article falsely implicated him in orchestrating Tupac's 1994 shooting; the story was later retracted after the FBI documents it cited were found to be fabricated.
3. Business ventures and legal issues:
(2000s-2010s)
Beyond music, Combs expanded into fashion with his Sean John clothing line, winning the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year award in 2004. He also partnered with Cîroc vodka and launched the Revolt TV network. However, his career was marred by legal troubles, including a 1999 nightclub shooting incident where he was acquitted of weapons charges, and a 2003 labor rights controversy involving Sean John factories in Honduras.
4. Justin Bieber and usher: (2000s-2010s)
In the late 2000s and 2010s, Diddy expanded his influence to the pop and R&B scene, collaborating with artists like Usher and Justin Bieber. Diddy helped manage Usher’s career during his early years, working closely on his breakthrough album My Way (1997) and his 2004 album Confessions, which featured the hit single "Yeah!" In particular, Diddy's mentorship played a role in Usher's rise as a global R&B superstar.Additionally, Diddy played a role in the career of Justin Bieber after the teen sensation's breakthrough. In 2010, Diddy became involved in helping manage Bieber's transition into the U.S. market and developing his brand. This collaboration led to some of Bieber’s biggest hits of the time, with Combs playing a behind-the-scenes role in shaping his rise in the industry. Combs' relationships with the artists remain questionable.
5. the infamous "diddy Parties": (2000s-2020s)
In the 2010s, Combs became infamous for his lavish parties, often dubbed the "Diddy parties." These exclusive events were known for their over-the-top opulence, celebrity guests, and allegations of illicit activities. Stories emerged of lavish parties filled with drugs, alcohol, and alleged sexual exploitation. The parties reportedly involved models, entertainers, and socialites, with Combs often at the center of the spectacle. Over time, rumors circulated about these gatherings being a front for various illicit and exploitative activities, although these claims were never officially substantiated.These parties contributed to the growing controversy surrounding Combs' reputation as a businessman and social figure, as many stories of abuse and manipulation came to light through anonymous sources and industry insiders.
6. Resurgence: New Allegations
In 2023, Combs released The Love Album: Off the Grid, his first solo project in over a decade. The album's promotion was overshadowed by a lawsuit from ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, alleging years of abuse and rape. Although settled out of court, this lawsuit prompted a wave of similar accusations from others, leading to over 40 civil suits alleging sexual misconduct, some involving minors. Guns and ammunition, drugs and large amounts of baby oil and lubricant related to alleged violent sex events dubbed "Freak Offs" were found during the raid of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs' Miami Beach mansion, according to a new federal indictment charging him with sex trafficking and racketeering.
7. Criminal Charges and Incarceration: (2024-2025)
In September 2024, Combs was arrested and indicted on charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution. Prosecutors allege he used his business empire to exploit women and orchestrate abusive events known as "freak offs." A 2016 surveillance video showing Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura was released in 2024, further damaging his reputation.Combs has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, with his trial set to begin on May 5, 2025.
The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN), organizes the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. The Hotline is a referral service that can put you in contact with your local rape crisis center. You can call the Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, or access RAINN's online chat service. Donations also available.
National Sexual Assault Hotline