Music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces multiple sexual assault lawsuits filed in late 2023, marking a significant development in the entertainment industry. The legal actions have emerged following the expiration of New York's Adult Survivors Act, which allowed victims to file civil suits regardless of when the alleged incidents occurred.
The most prominent lawsuit came from his former girlfriend, singer Cassie(Casandra Ventura), who alleged sexual assault, trafficking, and physical abuse throughout their relationship from 2005 to 2018. Though this suit was quickly settled out of court, it opened the door for additional accusers to come forward.
Following Cassie's lawsuit, three more women filed separate suits against Combs, including:
- A woman alleging a 1991 sexual assault while she was a college student
- A second woman claiming she was sexually assaulted in 1990 while still in high school
- A third plaintiff alleging she was sexually assaulted in 2003 along with two other victims
Combs has strongly denied all allegations through his legal team, releasing a statement saying, "Enough is enough. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy."
The lawsuits have led to significant professional consequences for Combs. He temporarily stepped down as chairman of Revolt TV, the media company he co-founded, and some business partners have begun distancing themselves from his ventures.
These cases continue to develop, with investigations ongoing and the possibility of additional accusers coming forward. The lawsuits represent part of a broader movement of accountability in the entertainment industry, following similar cases against other powerful figures.
