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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is accused of sexually assaulting minors in two new lawsuits
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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is accused of sexually assaulting minors in two new lawsuits

Two more sexual assault lawsuits were filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs this week, both accusing the billionaire of grooming, sexual misconduct and threats of retaliation that occurred when the plaintiffs were minors. Those two lawsuits are separate cases, but both allege Combs abused his power and influence by coercing minors into sexual activities by promising them music stardom.

The lawsuits add to a flurry of more than 20 civil lawsuits filed against the music and media giant over the past year and Combs’ pending federal sex-trafficking and racketeering charges, but are notable for being the youngest of his alleged victims. Combs so far. .

In the first lawsuit, a John Doe plaintiff accuses Combs of assaulting him at a New York hotel in 2005, when the plaintiff was just 10 years old. The unnamed accuser, who currently lives in California, claims he dreamed of becoming a rapper and/or actor at the time. His parents hired a career counselor to help him, who suggested he fly to New York to meet with industry power players like Combs. According to the filing, when plaintiff arrived, the consultant arranged for him to “audition” Combs in a New York hotel room. During the meeting, plaintiff was alone with Combs and after performing a few rap songs, Combs said she could “make him a star.” The claimant was given a soda and after drinking it he began to feel dizzy. The plaintiff believes the drink was spiked with drugs, “including but not limited to GHB and/or ecstasy.”

Once Doe became unsteady, the complaint says Combs pushed the boy onto the hotel room bed. Combs then pulled his penis out of his pants and told the 10-year-old to “kiss it” before forcing it into the boy’s mouth. The boy passed out from shock and fear. When the plaintiff regained consciousness, Combs was still in the room and the boy’s “pants were unzipped and his anus and buttocks hurt badly.” Combs told the complainant that she would hurt her parents if she told anyone about what happened. The file says the plaintiff did so soon after anyway, but at the time the family was so scared of the consequences of reporting Combs that they didn’t come forward.

In the separate filing, a John Doe victim claims she was 17 when Combs repeatedly sexually assaulted her during a series of dates. In or around 2008, the boy auditioned for three days for Diddy’s hit MTV series, Making the band. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff saw the opportunity online and through newspaper ads and believed this was his chance to break into the music industry. During the audition process, the plaintiff advanced to a stage where the contestants met individually in private rooms with Combs and his bodyguard.

During his first one-on-one interview with Combs, the plaintiff claims the mogul began asking him hypothetical questions about responding to sexual pressure. While questioning John Doe, Combs began fondling the applicant’s genitals and masturbating. “Combs emphasized his power to control plaintiff’s future in the music industry, stating that he had the ability to make or break his career,” the suit details. During another interview with Combs, the plaintiff was instructed to strip and demonstrate that he could be a “sex idol” within the band. Combs then allegedly forced the 17-year-old boy to perform oral sex and sodomized him. During the third meeting, Combs introduced the plaintiff to his bodyguard, named “T,” and forced the boy to perform oral sex on “T” as well. According to the lawsuit, “Combs framed this as a test of Plaintiff’s willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed in the music industry.” When the plaintiff hesitated, Combs said he was not trustworthy. Shortly after performing oral sex on the bodyguard, the plaintiff claims he was kicked out of the audition process and was unable to enter the music industry for several years.

These latest cases were filed in New York Supreme Court by the Tony Buzbee law firm — the same Texas firm that made headlines last month for announcing it would represent more than 100 alleged victims against Combs. Combs maintains, through his attorneys, that he never sexually assaulted or trafficked any of the individuals who filed civil lawsuits against him.

Copyright 2024 NPR